Name: Whole Fish Baked in Sea Salt
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons coriander seeds; 1 tablespoon black peppercorns; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds; 1 3-pound cleaned scaled whole fish (such as whitefish or salmon), fins removed; 1 cup thinly sliced leek (white and pale green parts only); 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds; 2 large egg whites; 1/4 cup water; 2 26.5-ounce boxes coarse sea salt (6 cups); Extra-virgin olive oil; Lemon wedges

Oven-roasting whole fish marries ease of preparation with stunning presentation.

TEST-KITCHEN TIP:

For 8 to 10 servings, cook a 4 1/2-pound fish instead (you'll need to use 3 egg whites, 6 tablespoons water, and 3 boxes of salt). Bake the fish for 35 minutes. Whatever size fish you use, be sure to preheat the oven for 30 minutes, using an oven thermometer for accuracy.

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