Moroccan Baked Fish Recipes

MOROCCAN BAKED FISH WITH ONIONS

Steps:

• Season fish fillets lightly with salt and pepper and set aside. Wash cilantro and pat dry. Reserve a few cilantro sprigs for garnish, then roughly chop leaves and tender stems and put in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the garlic, the chile, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, the paprika, 1/2 cup olive oil and the lime juice. Stir mixture together.
• Pour cilantro sauce over fish fillets, reserving 4 tablespoons of the sauce for serving. Coat both sides of fish with the mixture. Cover and leave at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to several hours.
• Meanwhile, put butter and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add sliced onions and season generously with salt and pepper. Add remaining ground cumin and ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds, the turmeric and the cayenne. Stir to coat. When onions begin to soften, turn heat to medium. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until onions are soft and begin to brown. Stir in preserved lemon and olives. Cool to room temperature. (The onions may be cooked in advance.)
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread onions in a low baking dish. Arrange marinated fish fillets over onions in a single layer. Bake on top rack until fish is just done, 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, smear a little reserved cilantro sauce over each fillet, and give each guest a large spoonful of the onions. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

WHOLE BAKED FISH, MOROCCAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Reserving a few sprigs of coriander for garnishing, combine all the ingredients except the fish in an electric blender and mix until smooth. With a sharp knife, make three slashes in the skin. Smear the mixture in the fish cavity and over the skin. Leave to marinate at room temperature for about 2 hours.
• Broil the fish for about 10 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the fish, or until cooked. Arrange on a serving platter, garnish with coriander and lemon slices.

MOROCCAN BAKED FISH WITH POTATOES, PEPPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Combine garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, paprika and saffron in a dish big enough for the fish. Mix vinegar, lemon juice and tomato paste in a small bowl. Add to dish and mix. Place fillets in the dish, turning to coat them, cover and set aside to marinate 2 hours at room temperature, 3 hours if refrigerated.
• Place potatoes in a saucepan, add water to cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Drain.
• Brush a baking dish that can go to the table and will hold the fish in a single layer with a little of the oil. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread potatoes in the dish, season with salt and pepper, and place fish fillets on top. Scatter peppers and tomatoes over fish. Add a little more salt and pepper. Spoon any excess marinade over fish, strew with olives, drizzle with remaining oil and bake about 30 minutes, until fish is just cooked through.

MOROCCAN BAKED FISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush a l7-inch, rimmed baking sheet with oil. Brush both sides of the fish with the 2 tablespoons of oil. Mix the cumin. coriander. cinnamon. and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture allover the fish. Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper. Place it all the prepared baking sheet. Bake the fish. without turning, until it is just opaque in the center, at least 12 minutes, 15 minutes for thicker fillet. Transfer the fish to a platter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve with the lime wedges.