SPICED SALT ROASTED SPOT PRAWNS

4 pounds coarse kosher salt

1/3 cup whole star anise

1/4 cup whole green cardamom pods

1 tablespoon whole cloves

8 bay leaves

4 sticks cinnamon, preferably Vietnamese

2 pounds live spot prawns (do not shell)

Melted butter, for serving

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Combine salt, star anise, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; bake until fragrant, about 8 minutes.

Remove dish from oven. Using a large spoon, transfer half the salt mixture to an ovenproof bowl. Place prawns over salt in baking dish, and cover them with salt from bowl. Return to oven; bake until prawns are cooked through, about 8 minutes. Discard salt; serve prawns with melted butter for dipping.

Adapted from Paley's Place, Portland, Oregon

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