Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa with this incredible Moroccan-Style Fish recipe! Moroccan cuisine is celebrated for its bold, aromatic flavors, and this dish is a perfect example. Tender fish fillets are gently simmered in a rich and spicy sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and a fragrant blend of spices like cumin and coriander. It's a dish that is both comforting and exciting, perfect for a weeknight dinner yet special enough for guests. Prepare to fill your kitchen with the most amazing aromas!
Moroccan-Style Fish
Moroccan-Style Fish Ingredients
- 4 hake fillets (approx. 800 g / 1.75 lbs)
- 1 lemon
- 1-2 chili peppers (fresh or dried)
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 4 red tomatoes
- 1 fleshy sweet bell pepper
- a bunch of kinza (cilantro/fresh coriander)
- 1 teaspoon zira (cumin)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- salt, vegetable oil
How to Cook Moroccan-Style Fish
Drizzle the chilled (not frozen!) hake fillets with lemon juice.
You can use fresh or dried chili peppers in this recipe.
Finely chop the onion. Slice the garlic cloves thinly.
Squeeze the juice from one whole lemon. Drizzle the lemon juice over the chilled (not frozen!) hake fillets. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
You can use either fresh or dried chili in this recipe. If using dried chili, pour boiling water over it and let it sit for a few minutes to soften. I recommend tasting the chili first. Some varieties are so hot that a whole pepper might be too much, potentially ruining the dish and making it inedible.
Finely chop the onion. Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Pour 2 tablespoons of neutral, odorless vegetable oil into a skillet, then add the chopped onion and garlic.
Add the ground spices, chopped chili, and paprika to the onion and garlic.
Add the chopped tomatoes and sweet pepper to the pan.
Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes, then pour in a glass of water.
Grind the coriander and zira (cumin) in a mortar and pestle. You can also toast the spices in a dry skillet first and then grind them. Remove the seeds from the chili pepper and chop the flesh finely. Add the ground spices, chopped chili, and paprika to the onion and garlic. Sauté over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until the onion becomes soft.
Scald the tomatoes with boiling water, then transfer them to cold water. Peel the skin off the tomatoes. Dice the flesh, and it’s best to remove the seeds. Core and finely chop the red bell pepper. Add the chopped tomatoes and bell pepper to the skillet. By the way, you can also use canned tomatoes in their own juice (peeled) for this recipe.
Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes, then pour in a cup of water. Salt to taste and add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Place the fish fillets, marinated in lemon juice, into the simmering sauce.
Cook the fish for 10-12 minutes, do not cover with a lid.
Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle the dish with chopped cilantro.
Place the fish fillets, marinated in lemon juice, into the simmering sauce. You can also pour any remaining lemon juice into the skillet.
Cook the fish for 10-12 minutes, uncovered.
Finely chop a small bunch of kinza (cilantro/fresh coriander). Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the dish with the chopped cilantro. If you don’t like cilantro, you can replace it with parsley or another aromatic herb.
Let the Moroccan-style fish cool down and soak up the sauce. Serve warm or cold with white bread or fresh thick lavash.
Let the Moroccan-style fish cool down a bit and soak up the sauce. Serve warm or cold with white bread or fresh thick lavash (a type of thin, unleavened flatbread).
And there you have it—a stunning plate of Moroccan-Style Fish, ready to impress! The beauty of this dish lies in its rich, layered flavors that meld together perfectly. For a complete meal, serve it with fluffy couscous or rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. Don't be afraid to adjust the amount of chili to your liking. We hope this recipe brings the warmth and vibrancy of Moroccan hospitality to your table. Enjoy every flavorful bite!
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