Moroccan Chermoula Marinade Recipes

CHERMOULA (MOROCCAN MARINADE)

Steps:

• Place the garlic, cumin, saffron, olive oil, lemon juice, chili and salt in a mortar and pound with a pestle. Or alternatively put all the above in a food processor and whiz until finely chopped, I have little baby processor which makes this a doddle.
• Add the fresh cilantro and mix in or give an additional quick whiz to combine.
• Spread the mixture over the fish of your choice and leave to marinade for at least 15 minutes.

QUICK & EASY MOROCCAN CHERMOULA MARINADE

Steps:

• 1. Toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a dry skillet until they become fragrant.
• 2. Grind, in a spice griner, and then add to a blender or food processor, along with the remaining ingredients.
• 3. Allow flavors to meld. May be refrigerated for later use.

CHERMOULA-MARINATED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Pound the ingredients for the filling together using a pestle and mortar. Make 3 diagonal incisions along both sides of each mackerel, then push in the filling. Chill for up to 2 hrs before cooking.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. For the chermoula, place the garlic, spices, lemon juice, coriander and a pinch of sea salt into a blender. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, blending.
• Brush the mackerel with a little olive oil on both sides, then place on a hot griddle or frying pan and sear for 2 mins on each side. Carefully transfer to an oven tray and bake for about 10 mins, or until the mackerel is cooked through. Drizzle with some of the chermoula and serve with the Carrot, olive & lemon couscous (recipe, below), lemon wedges and the remaining chermoula on the side.

MOROCCAN CHERMOULA MARINADE

Steps:

• Heat a frying pan and dry-fry the cumin and coriander seeds with the cinnamon until aromatic. Grind with a pestle and mortar, or in a spice grinder. Then either put all the ingredients in a blender and whiz them up, or pummel the whole lot in the pestle and mortar, adding one ingredient at a time in the above order. Keeps well, refrigerated for a week.