Whole Salmon Baked in Sea Salt
6 servings
60 minutes
Whole salmon baked in sea salt is a dish rooted in European culinary traditions. Baking fish in a salt crust preserves its juiciness and reveals its natural flavor, while spices like coriander, fennel, and black pepper add subtle aromatic notes. Lemon and leek highlight the freshness and lightness of the dish. This cooking method creates an impressive appearance, and breaking the salt crust before serving becomes a true culinary ritual. Served with olive oil and lemon slices, this salmon becomes the centerpiece of the festive table, delighting with its rich flavor and tender texture.
1
Preheat the oven to 230 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil, leaving large edges.
2
In a small pan, mix coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and fennel seeds. Place over medium heat, stirring, for about 9 minutes until the seeds start to pop. Cool, transfer to a mortar, and lightly crush.
- Coriander seeds: 2 tablespoons
- Black peppercorns: 1 tablespoon
- Fennel seeds: 1 teaspoon
3
Cut off the fins from the fish and remove all the insides. Rinse well under cold water and dry with a paper towel.
- Salmon: 1.4 kg
4
Rub the fish inside with the ground spice mixture, then place thinly sliced leek and lemon inside.
- Coriander seeds: 2 tablespoons
- Black peppercorns: 1 tablespoon
- Fennel seeds: 1 teaspoon
- Leek: 70 g
- Lemon: 1 piece
5
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with water. Add salt and mix well until the salt is fully moistened. On a prepared sheet of foil, place 2 cups of the salt mixture in a long strip, the size of the fish. Place the fish on top and spread the remaining salt over it. Wrap the foil into an envelope.
- Egg white: 2 pieces
- Water: 0.3 glass
- Sea salt: 1.5 kg
6
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes without opening.
7
Break the salty crust with a large knife and scrape off the salt.
8
Cut the fish into pieces and serve drizzled with olive oil and garnished with lemon wedges.
- Olive oil: to taste
- Lemon: 1 piece