Charmoula Sauce Food

BLENDER CHERMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry small skillet, tossing occasionally, until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool, then lightly crush with a heavy skillet.
• Purée toasted seeds, garlic, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes in a blender until spices are ground and mixture is very smooth.
• Add cilantro, parsley, and mint; process until well combined but slightly textured.
• Do Ahead
• Sauce can be made 3 days ahead; chill in an airtight container.

CHERMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Place salt, garlic, paprika, cumin seeds, and cayenne or dried red pepper, if using, in a mortar and grind together using a pestle. Transfer mixture to a small bowl and stir in cilantro, parsley, oil, and lemon juice. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 day.

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Pound all ingredients together in a large mortar and pestle or buzz in a food processor. You want a rough-textured paste. Note: I use all the coriander stems.
• Chermoula will keep several days in the fridge.

CHARMOULA

Steps:

• In a small, dry skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until seeds are slightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour spices onto a cutting board or mortar to stop the cooking. Once cool, crack spices with the flat side of a knife or with a pestle.
• Place cumin seeds, coriander seeds, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor or blender, and pulse to combine. Add herbs and sweet paprika, and purée until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the container when necessary. Add chile and, with the motor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil. Stir in salt and preserved lemon, if using. Taste, and add more salt and lemon juice if needed.
• Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Use as a marinade or sauce for fish, chicken, vegetables or meat, or as a dressing for roasted peppers and eggplant salads. Mix into yogurt as a dip for vegetables and meatballs, or spoon over hard-cooked eggs.

SALMON WITH CHERMOULA SAUCE AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Make the chermoula: Combine the cilantro, 1/4 cup parsley leaves, the garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander and the lemon zest and juice in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup olive oil and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the zucchini and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, 1 minute. Add the harissa, 1 1/4 cups water and a big pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, then cover, remove from the heat and wait 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Stir in the 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; season with salt.
• Season the salmon with the remaining 1 teaspoon each cumin and coriander and a few pinches each of salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Divide among plates and top with the chermoula. Serve with the couscous and lemon wedges.

CLASSIC MOROCCAN CHARMOULA FOR FISH

Steps:

• Whisk ingredients together and marinate white fish fillets (orange roughy works well) for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Bake or grill fish; more sauce can be served with the fish (don't use sauce previously used to marinate raw fish; set some aside in advance).
• Charmoula can also be used to marinate chicken with good results!

CHARMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Char the cloves on an open flame. Clean off the blackened skin, mash and finely chop.
• Use a mini-grinder and puree the garlic, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. Season with sea salt, paprika, cumin and cayenne. Stir well, taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Refrigerate in a sealed container. Serve at room temperature.

HADDOCK IN CHARMOULA SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare fish and vegetables:
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Prick each potato once with a fork, then rub potatoes with 1/2 tablespoon oil. Roast on a baking sheet in middle of oven until just tender, about 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Leave oven on.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté bell peppers, stirring, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Spread potato slices evenly in an oiled 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Top with peppers, then tomatoes and fish, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fish with lemon juice.
• Make charmoula sauce:
• Purée all sauce ingredients except oil in a food processor or blender. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream.
• Bake fish and vegetables:
• Pour sauce evenly over fish and bake in middle of oven until fish is just cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.