Saudi Fish Curry Samak Quwarmah Recipes

SAUDI FISH CURRY (SAMAK QUWARMAH)

Steps:

• Wipe fish dry with paper towels, cut into serving pieces and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover and leave aside in a cool place.
• Heat ghee (oil or butter) in a heavy pan, add onion and fry gently until transparent. Add ginger if using, garlic, chili, baharat, turmeric and cinnamon bark and stir over heat for 2 minutes.
• Add tomato, pierced loomi, and water. Add salt to taste and bring to a slow simmer. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Place fish pieces in sauce, cover and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until fish is cooked through. (I use a cast iron pan and take it off the heat at 15 minutes).
• Lift fish onto prepared Recipe #405300 or Recipe #418082. Remove loomi and cinnamon bark from sauce and spoon sauce over fish.
• Enjoy!

FISH CURRY (KODAVAS-STYLE)

Steps:

• Cut each mackerel into 2 pieces and make a few cuts on the surface of the fish, so the marinade can permeate the inside of the fillets. Place fish into a bowl and add 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 to 3 cups water. Stir to dissolve salt and soak fish in the marinade, about 10 minutes.
• Discard liquid and rinse fish twice under cold running water. Return fish to a bowl and add chili powder, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, and salt to taste. Mix well and set aside.
• Combine cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds in a dry skillet and toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes, shaking skillet repeatedly so spices don't burn.
• Remove coconut meat from coconut and chop. Combine toasted spices, coconut, garlic, and ginger in a mortar and pestle and grind into a paste, adding a little water as necessary to get the consistency of the masala right. Mix in onions and green chili.
• Heat oil in a heavy pot. Add masala paste and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add marinated fish and check water level. You might need to add more water. Simmer until fish flakes easily with a fork and sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

FISH KABSA (SAUDI)

Steps:

• In a large pan on medium heat add butter, onions and garlic; cook until tender. Add Arabic spice mix, mix well. Carefully add fish and allow to cook halfway on each side until lightly pink-white. About 1 minute or less on each side. Remove fish/onion mixture and set aside.
• Add tomato paste and bullion cube to pan, cook a little then add rice and water. Carefully place fish mixture on top. Raise heat to high and allow to come to a full boil, cover and reduce to low. Allow to cook until rice and fish are thoroughly cooked. Depending on the thickness of the fish fillets and the rice type, adjust timing.
• Once done, arrange fish kabsa on a serving platter and decorate top with cilantro and pine nuts.
• Serve with a fresh salad.
• Enjoy!