Roasted Whole Sea Bass with Bay Leaves

• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 -inch pieces
• 20 bay leaves, preferably fresh
• One 4 1/2 - to 5-pound sea bass or red snapper, cleaned

1. Preheat the oven to 500.
2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of the salt roughly in the shape of the fish.
3. Scatter half of the butter pieces and 8 of the bay leaves over the salt.
4. Set the fish on the salt and stuff 6 bay leaves into the cavity.
5. Top the fish with the remaining butter, 1/2 tablespoon of salt and 6 bay leaves.
6. Bake the fish in the middle of the oven for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
7. Use 2 large spatulas to transfer the fish to a platter.
8. Discard the bay leaves and serve immediately.

salt, unsalted butter, bay leaves, red snapper

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-whole-sea-bass-with-bay-leaves (may not work)