Samke Harra (Spicy Fish)
Samke Harra made with baked cod, tahini lemon sauce, toasted pine nuts, and parsley. A classic Lebanese spicy fish recipe.
Servings: 8 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
Tahini Sauce
- ½ cup tahini paste
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
Fish & Toppings
- 2 ½ pounds cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Place the cod fillets in an 8x11 oven-safe baking dish. Use paper towels to pat the fish dry, then season with cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper on both sides. Drizzle with the olive oil and use your hands to rub the oil and seasoning all over the fish on both sides. Bake the fish until it flakes off easily with a fork, 10-15 minutes.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish and toast in the oven until browned.
- Meanwhile, place the tahini paste in a small bowl. Add the lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Use a fork or whisk to combine the ingredients until they form a thick paste. Slowly add water to the mixture and whisk until completely combined, smooth with a pourable texture.
- When the fish is done cooking, drizzle the tahini sauce all over. Scatter the pine nuts and chopped parsley on top and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, serve with my Lebanese Rice.
My Top Tip: Go slow when making the tahini sauce. The sauce should be smooth and pourable but not too thin. Add the water slowly, whisking constantly, to achieve the right texture.
Storage: Leftover Samkeh Harra can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, keep the pine nuts separate to maintain crunchiness. To reheat, warm it in the microwave until heated through.
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 708mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
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