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Pescado a la Sal (Salt-Crusted Fish)

Spanish1 Hour
Punchline

Indulge in a delightful and theatrical dining experience that captures the essence of Spanish culinary traditions!

ingredients
whole fish2pounds
kosher salt3cups
fresh herbs1bunch
lemon1piece
olive oil2tablespoons
instructions
    1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will prepare a perfect cooking environment for your fish.

    2

    Rinse the whole fish under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess slime.

    3

    Stuff the cavity of the fish with a bunch of fresh herbs and the lemon piece cut in half. The fish will absorb these flavors as it cooks.

    4

    In a large bowl, mix the kosher salt with about 1/2 cup of water until it becomes damp but not wet. This will create a salt crust that locks in the moisture during baking.

    5

    Spread about half of the salt mixture on a baking sheet, forming a bed for the fish.

    6

    Place the stuffed fish on top of the salt bed. Cover the entire fish with the remaining salt mixture, ensuring no part of the fish is exposed. This salt crust will help cook the fish evenly.

    7

    Drizzle olive oil over the salt crust for extra flavor before placing it in the preheated oven.

    8

    Bake for about 30-40 minutes. The fish is done when the salt crust has turned a light golden color and the fish flakes easily when touched with a fork.

    9

    Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to settle.

    10

    To serve, carefully break the salt crust open (it will be hard). Lift off the salt and gently take out the fish. Serve the fish warm with a drizzle of olive oil and more fresh herbs if desired.

Servings

4

How to be creative
  • Use different types of fish such as snapper or sea bass for a unique experience.
  • Add spices like paprika or cumin to the salt mixture for an added depth of flavor.
  • Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like garlic aioli or a spicy salsa for a twist.
Important Tips
  • Make sure the fish is scaled and cleaned properly before cooking.
  • Don’t eat the salt crust as it’s too salty, reserve only the fish for consumption.
  • Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme for a variety of flavors.
nutritions
  • fat: 15 grams
  • protein: 35 grams
  • calories: 300
  • carbohydrates: 0 grams
Health impact

This dish is rich in protein and healthy fats, making it a nutritious choice for a balanced meal.