Chermoula Moroccan Fish Marinade Food

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.

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.

BROILED FISH WITH CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Season the fish with salt and pepper. In a large baking dish combine the fish with half the chermoula and toss together until the fish is coated. If the chermoula is thick it may be easier to spread it onto the fish with a spatula. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes while you preheat the broiler or prepare a grill.
• If using a broiler, line a sheet pan with foil and brush the foil with olive oil, or oil a shallow baking dish. Place the fish in the pan in a single layer. If desired drizzle on a little more olive oil or lemon juice. Place under the broiler, close to the heat (about 2 1/2 inches below) and broil 5 minutes. Check the fish; the timing depends on how thick the fillets are; figure on 4 to 5 minutes per 1/2 inch of thickness. It is done when it is opaque and you can pull it apart with a fork. Using a spatula, transfer the fish from the sheet pan or baking dish to a platter or to individual plates. Tip the juices in the pan over the fish fillets. Pass the remaining chermoula and lemon wedges at the table.

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-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 FISH MARINADE)

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.

FISH CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Make chermoula:
• In a mortar with a pestle, an electric spice grinder, or a cleaned coffee grinder grind fine coriander seeds, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and saffron. Transfer spice mixture to a small bowl and stir in remaining chermoula ingredients.
• Lightly oil a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold fillets in one layer. Arrange fillets, seasoned with salt and pepper, in dish and top evenly with chermoula. Chill fillets, covered 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large heavy skillet melt butter in water over moderately high heat. Add fennel and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Cook fennel, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes more, and season with salt and pepper.
• While fennel is cooking, bake chilled fish in oven until it just flakes, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Serve each fillet on a bed of fennel and garnish with fennel fronds.