Whole fish in the oven

Ingredients:

• 2 whole sea bass (0.7-0.9 kg each), scaled and gutted
• 2 large lemons, each cut into 5 slices
• 8 sprigs of thyme
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley

Preparation:

1. Line a baking sheet with foil and place in the oven; preheat oven to 230°C.
2. Use kitchen scissors to trim the fins from the fish. Pat the inside and outside of the fish dry with paper towels. Stuff the cavities with lemon slices and thyme. Rub the outside of the fish with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
3. Place the fish on a hot baking sheet in the oven (do not remove the baking sheet from the oven) spacing them apart. Bake until the sea bass is tender and flakes off at the meatiest part closest to the head, 12-18 minutes. Using a large metal spatula (or two small ones), transfer the fish to a platter. Sprinkle with parsley.