Moroccan Fish with a Twist
So, I've got this recipe from my grandma – it's our traditional Moroccan fish. Every Friday, it's like a ritual that brings the whole family together. But this time, I decided to sprinkle a little bit of "me" into it. Trust me, it's finger-licking good!
What You'll Need:
- Fish, and make it a good one! I always go for something Mediterranean like branzino. If you can, get it with bones (around 500g should do).
- 2 bell peppers, any color you fancy.
- Half an onion, sliced up, and oh, 6 garlic cloves.
- A bunch of both cilantro & parsley. Chop 'em up good!
- 4 carrots.
- A cup of chickpeas.
- 3 fresh chilies or jalapeños. Heck, why not both?
- Half a cup of that good olive oil.
For the Spices:
- A pinch of salt and pepper, or however you like it.
- 2 tbsp of cumin.
- 2 tbsp of that sweet paprika.
- And 1 tbsp of smoked paprika.
- 3 tablespoons of tahini. I go for the spicy one, but pick any flavor you're in the mood for.
Let's Get Cooking!
1. First off, I always soak my fish in some icy lemon water. It gets rid of that fishy taste. Leave it in for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Grab a big non-stick pan and pour in your olive oil. Heat it up on medium, then throw in those spices. Wait till you get a whiff of them – that's when you know they're ready. Now, mix in the tahini till it's all creamy and dreamy.
3. Time for the onion, garlic, carrots, bell peppers, those spicy peppers, and chickpeas. Give it a good stir and let it sit covered for a couple of minutes.
4. Lay your fish on top, sprinkle those chopped herbs, and try to get that lovely sauce all over the fish. Move it around every now and then.
5. Turn down the heat, cover it up, and let it do its magic for about 35-40 minutes. You'll know it's ready when those carrots and chickpeas are all soft and yummy.
6. Here's a little trick: keep pouring some of that sauce over the fish while it's cooking. It just soaks up all those flavors. When you're ready to serve, make sure everyone gets some of those tasty veggies from underneath. And if you've got some challah bread, it's a match made in heaven. Oh, and don't forget to drizzle some sesame tahini on top. Bon appétit!
