Chermoula Marinade Food

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.

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.

CHERMOULA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and let rest while you prepare the sauce.
• Put parsley, cilantro, garlic, salt, cumin, coriander and cayenne (if using) into a food processor. Pulse several times to chop up the parsley and cilantro.
• With the motor running, add in the olive oil.
• Add lemon juice, process until you have a rough paste.
• Heat the ghee or olive oil on medium high heat in a large cast iron pan.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Pat the chicken pieces dry and add them to the pan skin side down. Let them cook until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Turn them over and cook a few minutes more.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and pour off the fat.
• Return the chicken to the pan and spread the chermoula sauce on both sides of the chicken. Save the rest of the sauce.
• Roast the chicken in the oven skin-side up, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the temperature near the bone is 165°F. If the breasts are done before the thighs remove them from the pan and cook the thighs until done.
• Serve with extra chermoula sauce on the side.

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in your K-Mojo DigiMaster's chopper attachment.
• Give the ingredients a blitz. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
• Use as a marinade for out of this world's lamb chops or as a refreshing sauce with vegetables or grilled fish.

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 FISH

Steps:

• Mix olive oil, garlic cloves, coriander, lemon juice, paprika, ground cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, and saffron together until smooth (feel free to use a food processor for this).
• Cover the fish fillets with 1⁄2 cup of chermoula and place in the fridge to marinate.
• Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the carrots, potatoes and the remaining chermoula.
• Stir and cover with a lid.
• Leave to cook for 25 to 30 min, until the potatoes and the carrots are soft and cooked. Stir occasionally.
• Meanwhile, remove the flesh from the preserved lemon, and finely chop it.
• Divide the potatoes and carrot mixture into 4 equal parts and place each portion on a baking sheet. Each portion will make a small nest for the fish fillets.
• Place one marinated fish fillet on top of each potatoes and carrots nest.
• Top the fish with chopped bell peppers and preserved lemon and decorate with cherry tomatoes.
• Drizzle some extra olive oil (optional) and cover the baking sheet with foil.
• Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 17 min depending on the thickness of your fish fillets.
• Serve warm with bread or brown rice.

CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the cilantro and parsley. A scissors is a good tool for this; point it tip down in the measuring cup and cut the leaves. Then place them in a food processor and chop very fine, or chop on a cutting board. You should have 1 cup finely chopped herbs.
• Place the garlic and salt in a mortar and puree. Add a small handful of the chopped herbs, and gently but firmly grind until the herbs begin to dissolve. Add another handful. When all of the herbs have been mashed, work in the spices, 1/3 cup olive oil and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more olive oil or salt if desired. Serve with grilled fish and/or vegetables, or with chicken.

MOROCCAN CHERMOULA MARINADE

Steps:

• The chermoula is ready to be used for marinating meats and veggies, dressing potatoes before baking, or mixing into rice, quinoa, or couscous. Enjoy.

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.

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.

FISH MARINADE (CHERMOULA)

Steps:

• In food processor or blender combine cilantro, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, crushed red pepper, olive oil, salt, and cayenne to a fine paste. Adjust the consistency by adding more olive oil; the marinade should be fairly thick.

CHERMOULA PASTE

Steps:

• Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until you have a thick paste, adding more oil if necessary.