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Lebanese Spicy Fish Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 127 reviews

A flavorful Lebanese Spicy Fish dish featuring tender baked cod fillets seasoned with aromatic spices and topped with a rich, garlicky tahini sauce. Garnished with toasted nuts and fresh parsley, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat, texture, and creaminess, ideal for a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish and Spice Mix

  • 1 kg cod fish filets (cleaned, washed and patted dry)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper (or ground black pepper)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (or substitute 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Tahini Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup cilantro (finely chopped, or substitute parsley)
  • 1/2 cup tahini (235 ml)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice (100 ml)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)

Garnish

  • 1/2 cup blanched almonds, cashews, or pine nuts (to fry)
  • 1/2 cup parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃) to get it ready for baking the fish, ensuring a perfectly cooked texture.
  2. Prepare and Bake Fish: Arrange the cod fish filets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Pat the fillets dry with a kitchen towel. Brush each piece evenly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle and coat the fish with ground white pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, and salt. Bake the cod fillets for 15 to 20 minutes until the fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork, checking at 15 minutes based on thickness.
  3. Make Tahini Sauce: While the fish bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the crushed garlic cloves until fragrant. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the chopped cilantro (or parsley) and cook for an additional minute. Add the tahini, water, lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk together until smooth and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency, then remove from heat.
  4. Assemble and Garnish: Once the fish is fully cooked, carefully transfer it to a serving plate. Pour the warm tahini sauce generously over the fish. Top with the toasted blanched almonds, cashews, or pine nuts, and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over everything. Serve immediately with accompaniments like rice or pita bread.

Notes

  • Adjust chili powder or cayenne to control the level of spiciness.
  • Make sure to pat the fish dry to help the spices adhere properly.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor in the tahini sauce.
  • To toast nuts, dry fry them in a pan over medium heat until golden and aromatic before adding as a garnish.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed rice, flatbreads, or a fresh salad.

Keywords: Lebanese Spicy Fish, Baked Cod, Tahini Sauce, Middle Eastern Fish Recipe, Spicy Fish Dish, Cod Fillets with Tahini, Healthy Fish Recipe

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/lebanese-spicy-fish-recipe/