Baked Tilapia with Whole Spices

Ingredients

Amount		Ingredient	Preparation
2	teaspoons	peanut oil
1	medium	carrot	peeled, cut into 4inch sticks
4	each	scallions, spring or green onions	cut into 3 inch sections
8	each	ginger slices	quarter sized
1	teaspoon	allspice	whole
3	each	anise pods	star, broken up
1/2	teaspoon	peppercorns	whole
2	small	green chili peppers	dried, any loose seeds removed
2	each	tilapia	cleaned and scaled, 2 pounds each
1	x	salt
3	tablespoons	white wine
1/2	cup	fish stock
1	tablespoon	butter

Directions

This will work with other whole lean fish, including small rockfish
or farmed striped bass, and cuts or 'roasts' of halibut or pink
salmon.

Adjust the cooking time according to the thickness and density
of the fish.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Rub a baking dish well with the oil, add the vegetables and
whole spices, and toss to coat them lightly with oil.

Arrange in an even layer.

Rinse the fish well inside and out, pat dry, season lightly with
salt, and place on top of the vegetables.

Add the wine and 3 tablespoons of the stock.

Make a loose tent of foil over the tail of the fish and place in the
oven.

Bake, rotating the pan once halfway through the cooking time,
until a skewer easily enters the thickest part of the fish, 25 to 30
minutes.

If you have an instant-reading thermometer, it should read 145
degrees F to 150 degrees F.in the center near the bone.

Transfer the fish to a warm serving platter.

Strain the contents of the baking dish into a small saucepan;
discard the spices and vegetables.

Add the remaining stock, bring to a boil and reduce by a third.

Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

Swirl in the butter if desired and pour over and around the fish
on the platter.