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Fish Chermoula

(Fish with Moroccan Seasoning)

The fragrant blend of seasonings called chermoula can be used for meats and poultry as well as fish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 6

Ingredients

For chermoula

1

/2 teaspoon coriander seeds

12

whole black peppercorns

1

/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

a large pinch saffron threads, crumbled

1

/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1

teaspoon paprika

1

medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)

1

/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

2

tablespoons minced preserved lemon peel plus 2 tablespoons preserved lemon juice or fresh lemon juice to taste

2

tablespoons olive oil

2

tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander

1

garlic clove, minced

6

skinless small fish fillets such as sea bass, red snapper, or any other firm white lean fish (about 1 3/4 pounds)

2

tablespoons unsalted butter

1

/2 cup water

4

fennel bulbs (about 3 pounds), trimmed and cut lengthwise into thin strips, reserving fronds for garnish if desired

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make chermoula:

    Step 1

    In a mortar with a pestle, an electric spice grinder, or a cleaned coffee grinder grind fine coriander seeds, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and saffron. Transfer spice mixture to a small bowl and stir in remaining chermoula ingredients.

    Step 2

    Lightly oil a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold fillets in one layer. Arrange fillets, seasoned with salt and pepper, in dish and top evenly with chermoula. Chill fillets, covered 1 hour.

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 350°F.

    Step 4

    In a large heavy skillet melt butter in water over moderately high heat. Add fennel and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Cook fennel, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes more, and season with salt and pepper.

    Step 5

    While fennel is cooking, bake chilled fish in oven until it just flakes, 10 to 15 minutes.

  2. Step 6

    Serve each fillet on a bed of fennel and garnish with fennel fronds.