Salt-Crusted Wild Sea Bass with Butternut Squash and Champagne Sauce

A whole sea bass steamed in a salt crust, served with smooth butternut squash purée and a rich Champagne sauce.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 1063.1 kcals 4252.4 kcals
Carbohydrates 16.3 grams 65.2 grams
Fat 76.4 grams 305.5 grams
Protein 60.7 grams 242.8 grams
Cook Time
30 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

Dairy
200
g
300
ml
Fruits
1
piece
Lemon
juice only
Liquids
200
ml
300
ml
Fish Stock
made from bones of white-fleshed fish
NutsSeeds
500
g
1
clove
1
g
1
g
Black Pepper
freshly ground, to taste
OilsFats
1
ml
Rapeseed Oil
drizzle
Other
80
g
Egg Whites
approximately 2 large eggs
Seafood
1
kg
Sea Bass
whole, wild, guts, gills and scales removed, fins trimmed
Vegetables
1
piece
Butternut Squash
medium, sliced in half lengthways, seeds discarded
1
piece
Shallot
chopped
1
piece
Banana Shallot
thinly sliced
1
piece
Carrot
thinly sliced
6
piece

Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  • Cut a cardboard fish shape with a 2.5cm border, wrap in foil, and place the fish on top.
  • Whisk egg whites to soft peaks, then whisk in salt until stiff peaks form.
  • Spread the egg-white mixture over the fish to create an airtight seal.
  • Bake the sea bass for 20 minutes until the internal temperature is hot.
  • Fill the squash halves with shallot and garlic, drizzle with oil, and season.
  • Roast the squash for 25 to 30 minutes until tender.
  • Blend the roasted squash flesh in a food processor until smooth.
  • Melt 50g of butter and fry the carrot, mushroom, and banana shallot until softened.
  • Add 100ml of Champagne and simmer until the liquid is syrupy.
  • Add the fish stock and reduce the liquid by half.
  • Add the cream and reduce the liquid by half again.
  • Strain the sauce, whisk in the remaining butter and lemon juice, and stir in the remaining Champagne.
  • Crack the salt crust, remove the sea bass fillets, and discard bones.
  • Plate the squash purée, top with fish, and spoon over the sauce.