Sayadieh Bil Samek (Fish Pilaf w/ Caramelized Onions)

5/1/16: I originally shared this Sayadieh Bil Samek recipe as a guest post at MarocMama while she and her family were in the midst of moving from the US to Morocco. To read the original post in its entirety, click here.

I almost hate to admit that I don’t really know anything about Morocco.  I mean, the extent of my “knowledge” of Morocco stems from Casablanca, Babel, and Hideous Kinky.  Mmmm hmmm, movies.  In other words, I am looking forward to learning a bit more about things like raising a family…daily life…and especially eating there…from Amanda.  Once she settles in.

So, with all this jabbering about Morocco and my ignorance, you’d think I’d have chosen a Moroccan recipe to share today.  Uh, yeah.  That would’ve taken a moment of lucidity on my end.  And under the sweltering heat weighing me down this summer, and the clock that has been speeding by faster than a speeding bullet, I didn’t.  But tackling a few dishes of North African cuisine is on my culinary bucket list!

Instead, I chose to make something Middle Eastern.  It’s a fish and rice dish that may seem daunting at first glance due to the mile-long ingredient list.  But I promise, if you take away the ingredients that can be found in your spice cupboard, you’re only left with five or six ingredients.  It’s a simple dish with huge flavors.  A dish that I could put on my menu a couple of times a month.  And the really crazy thing is, even my “I don’t like fish”-proclaiming husband LOVES it!

Sayadieh Bil Samek (Fish Pilaf w/ Caramelized Onions)

This Middle Eastern fish pilaf is laced with sweet caramelized onions and studded with toasted pinenuts.

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes (mostly unattended)

Keywords: simmer entree side fish rice spice Middle Eastern

Ingredients (serves 4)

note: Don't let the long ingredient list scare you away. It's mostly a matter of raiding your spice cabinet!

• 4 tablespoons sunflower oil (or other)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts

for the fish:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground roasted coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 pound Cod (or other firm white fish), rinsed & patted dry

to finish:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1-1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice, soaked for 10 minutes & drained
• 1 teaspoon Nine Spice Mix (recipe follows)
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon ground roasted coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil (or other)
• 2 - 2-1/2 cups fish or vegetable stock, simmering

to serve:

• lemon wedges

Instructions

Start with the pine nuts:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast until golden brown, 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the pine nuts from the pan and into a small bowl, leaving the oil in the pan.

Next, the fish:

Whisk together the flour and spices in a shallow dish. Dredge the fish in the mixture and shake off the excess.

Turn the heat under the skillet to medium-high, and add the fish, frying until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer the fish to a plate or bowl, and when cool enough to handle, flake into large chunks. Set aside.

Now, caramelize the onions:

Okay, you should still have oil in the bottom of your skillet...and by now it should be nice and flavorful. To that oil, add your onions. Saute the onions over medium to medium-high heat, until they have gotten a good caramelization on them, 15 minutes or so. If the onions start to get too dark and dry too quickly, add a little splash of water. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

Putting it all together. Finally...

Combine the soaked and drained rice with the spices in a large bowl; toss to combine.

Drizzle the oil in the bottom of a medium heavy-bottomed, deep-sided skillet or pan (with a lid). Scatter half of the rice across the bottom of the pan, then scatter 1/3 of the caramelized onion over it. Arrange the fish on next, in an even layer. Add another 1/3 of the caramelized onion, and finish with the remaining rice. Set the final 1/3 of the onions aside for garnish.

Carefully pour the simmering stock over the rice, so that it is just covered. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover the pot, then reduce the heat to low. Allow to simmer until rice is tender, about 12-15 minutes. If it looks like the rice is getting too dry, drizzle in a bit more hot stock or hot water. Turn the heat off, and allow to sit (still covered), for 15 minutes.

Fluffy gently with a fork, and transfer to a serving dish. Scatter the reserved caramelized onion and the reserved pine nuts over the top. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nine Spice Mix:

Combine 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon ground allspice, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom in a small bowl or baggie and stir/shake to combine. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Yield: heaping 1/4 cup

-adapted slightly from An Edible Mosaic (the cookbook)