Ingredients

For date and rice pilaf
3 tbsp clarified butter
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp all-spice mixture
2 red chilli peppers, deseeded and chopped
2 cups basmati rice, soaked and drained
4 cups chicken stock
1 cinnamon stick
1 zest of one orange
6 cardamom pods, lightly bruised
salt and pepper
1/4 cup rosewater combined with 2 pinches of saffron
1/4 cup toasted almonds, pine nuts and pistachios,
to garnish
1/4 cup coriander leaves, to garnish
For grilled fish
1 tsp cumin, crushed
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 tbsp sumac
6 hammour fillets (or sea bass or cod) about
2 cm-thick with skin
4 tbsp vegetable oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. To prepare the date and rice pilaf, melt butter in a large pot and add dates, cinnamon, all-spice mixture and chilli peppers, coating the dates well with the spices.

2. Add the drained rice and stir well. Pour in the chicken stock and bring it to a boil. Add the cinnamon stick, orange zest and cardamom pods and season.

3. Lower the heat and allow to simmer until rice is done, for approximately 20 minutes. Sprinkle the rosewater and saffron mix over the rice about 5 minutes before the rice is done. Do not stir. The rice will take on a two-tone colour of white and yellow. Place the cover back on and leave to finish cooking. When done, garnish pilaf with the toasted nuts and fresh coriander leaves.

4. To prepare fish, combine all the spices in a small bowl. Brush the fish fillets with oil all over and coat with the spice mixture. Season.

5. Heat a large ovenproof skillet. Place the fish skin side down on the skillet and grill until the skin is browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Turn fish over and finish cooking in a preheated oven at 200°C, about 8 minutes. Garnish with cherry tomatoes, olives and lemon wedges and serve with homemade tomato salsa on the side.

Cauliflower fritters with yogurt and mint dip
(Serves 3)
Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins

By Ruqya Khan, Friday magazine

Articles from the author

Soul food with chef Suzanne Husseini