Fish Baked in Foil with Fennel and Lime

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Photo by Sarah Shatz

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merrill's Notes: Pretty much everything my husband and I consumed at Kiwayu Safari Village -- a lovely eco-resort right on the Indian Ocean in Kenya -- involved lime in some way: from the virgin Dawa (lime...
Pretty much everything my husband and I consumed at Kiwayu Safari Village -- a lovely eco-resort right on the Indian Ocean in Kenya -- involved lime in some way: from the virgin Dawa (lime juice mixed with water and a little sugar) we were offered as a refreshment when we first arrived (welcome drinks seem to be standard in East Africa, and I'll admit I kind of wish we had them here), to the wedges of lime served alongside fresh octopus salad or dressed crab at lunch, to the paper-thin slices of lime layered on top of the beautiful whole baked fish presented to us at the dinner table one night. This is an adaptation of the recipe, given to me by the chef at Kiwayu, for the whole baked fish with lime -- in addition to the lime slices that get laid on top of the fish, the fish gets bathed in a delicate marinade of lime juice, olive oil and cilantro before baking.

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Serves 4 to 6

1 medium whole fish, about 2 1/2 pounds (I used striped bass), cleaned and scaled Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro Ask a question about this ingredient

Salt Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

1 fennel bulb Ask a question about this ingredient

1 large red onion Ask a question about this ingredient

1 large lime, very thinly sliced Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, in small chunks Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Ask a question about this ingredient

Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Rinse the fish under cold water and dry well with paper towels.
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In a large, wide bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, a few generous pinches of salt and the pepper. Add the fish to the marinade, turning to coat and getting some inside the cavity. Set aside for about 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
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Halve the fennel bulb and thinly slice one half. Cut the other half into 1/8-inch dice. Do the same with the onion.
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Take two pieces of aluminum foil and fold them together so that they form big piece (see photo below). Lay the foil shiny-side down on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Arrange half of the sliced red onion, sliced fennel and lime along the middle of the foil, over an area roughly the same size as the fish.
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Remove the fish from the marinade and slather the cavity with the mustard. Then scatter the butter chunks and the chopped onion and fennel inside the cavity, filling it just enough that it looks plump, without the vegetables spilling out all over the place.
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Lay the fish gently on top of the sliced vegetables, and then arrange the rest of them on top of the fish, finishing with a row of lime slices. Start to fold up the foil so that liquid won't seep out the sides, and then drizzle the marinade over the top of the fish. Fold and crease the foil into a neat package, leaving a little space between it and the fish. Put the fish (on the baking sheet) in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until the fish is cooked through. Serve with boiled herbed potatoes and a salad.
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