Baked Fish with Lemon Rice Stuffing

Description
Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

 * 1 5-pound fish (trout, red snapper, cod, whitefish, bass or pike)
 * Salt and ground black pepper
 * 2 cups cooked rice
 * 1/3 cup slivered almonds
 * 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
 * 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
 * 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
 * Butter or margarine

Directions

 * 1) Wash fish and season with salt and pepper.
 * 2) Combine rice, nuts, parsley, lemon peel, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and dash of pepper; mix well.
 * 3) Stuff prepared fish. Sew or close cavity with small skewers and lace with twine.
 * 4) Place fish on foil; brush with butter or margarine. Bake at 400 degrees 45 minutes.