Baked Whole Fish Recipe

Ingredients for Baked Whole Fish

• 1 whole fish (approx. 1.5-2 lbs), cleaned and scaled
• Lemons
• Onions
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• Salt And Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion salt
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• Bacon
• 6 tablespoons butter

How to Make Baked Whole Fish

1. Soak the fish in cold, salted water for 15-30 minutes. (This helps firm the flesh)
2. Drain the fish and pat it dry with paper towels.
3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Season the fish cavity with 2 thin lemon slices, 2 celery stalks (chopped), 1/4 small onion (thinly sliced), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the cavity.
5. Close the fish and place 3-4 bacon strips on top or around the fish.
6. Sprinkle the fish with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon onion salt, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
7. Dot the top of the fish with 4 tablespoons of butter (about 4 pats). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque white and flakes easily with a fork.
8. (Optional) For extra crispy bacon, broil the fish for the last 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
9. Carefully remove the fish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
10. Cut the fish into 1 1/2-inch wide sections and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Serves 2-4, depending on the size of the fish.