🐟 Samke Harra (Lebanese Spicy Fish)

 

🛒 Ingredients

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🐟 For the Fish

▢ 1 kg cod fish fillets, cleaned, washed, and patted dry
▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
▢ ½ tsp ground white pepper (or black pepper)
▢ 1 tsp chili powder (or ¼ tsp cayenne pepper)
▢ ½ tsp ground cumin
▢ 1 tsp salt

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🥣 For the Tahini Sauce

▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
▢ 4 cloves garlic, crushed
▢ 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
▢ ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped (or parsley)
▢ ½ cup tahini (235 ml)
▢ ½ cup water
▢ ⅓ cup lemon juice (100 ml)
▢ ¾ tsp salt (plus more to taste)

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🌿 For Serving

▢ ½ cup blanched almonds, cashews, or pine nuts
▢ ½ cup parsley, chopped

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

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🐟 1. Prepare the Fish

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2️⃣ Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3️⃣ Place cod fillets on the tray and pat dry.
4️⃣ Brush fish with olive oil.
5️⃣ Season with white pepper, chili powder, cumin, and salt.
6️⃣ Bake for 15–20 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
7️⃣ Check at the 15-minute mark depending on thickness.

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🥣 2. Make the Tahini Sauce

8️⃣ Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
9️⃣ Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
🔟 Add chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft and translucent.

1️⃣1️⃣ Add cilantro (or parsley) and cook for 1 more minute.
1️⃣2️⃣ Add tahini, water, lemon juice, and salt.
1️⃣3️⃣ Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
1️⃣4️⃣ Cook for a few minutes until sauce becomes pourable.
1️⃣5️⃣ Remove from heat and set aside.

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🌿 3. Prepare the Topping

1️⃣6️⃣ Fry or toast almonds, cashews, or pine nuts until golden.
1️⃣7️⃣ Chop parsley and set aside.

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🍽️ 4. Assemble

1️⃣8️⃣ Place baked fish on a serving plate.
1️⃣9️⃣ Pour tahini sauce generously over the fish.
2️⃣0️⃣ Top with toasted nuts and chopped parsley.
2️⃣1️⃣ Serve immediately with rice or pita bread.