SEA SALT-CRUSTED PINK SNAPPER WITH ICE WINE NAGE

Sea Salt-Crusted Pink Snapper with Ice Wine Nage image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/4 cup juniper berries
1 star anise
10 cups coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 cup egg whites (from about 6 large eggs), lightly beaten
1 whole pink snapper (3 pounds) or black sea bass, cleaned
Extra-virgin olive oil
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
7 to 10 cipollini onions, sliced, or 1 large Spanish onion, sliced
2 Belgian endives, cut lengthwise into thin strips
2 carrots, thinly sliced crosswise
1 1/2 cups ice wine or other sweet white dessert wine, such as Sauternes
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

Using the bottom of a heavy pan, crush juniper berries and star anise. Add to a large bowl along with salt, fennel seeds, lemon, and orange zest; mix well. Add egg whites and stir until well combined.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat fish with oil on oil sides. Spread 3 cups of salt mixture on a rimmed baking sheet large enough to hold the fish. Place fish on top of salt; cover fish completely with remaining salt. Bake until a the tip of a knife inserted in the thickest part of the fish feels warm to the touch when you remove it, 30 to 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add endive and carrots and cook 2 minutes more. Add wine, lemon juice, orange juice, and saffron. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook until liquid has reduced by one-third, about 5 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to a bowl; set aside. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk remaining 10 tablespoons butter, 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time, into the nage, just until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Add vegetables back into the nage until just heated through.
Using a knife and spoon, break the salt crust from the fish and remove it in sections. Lift fish away from bones and serve with nage and garnish with parsley.