FISH CHERMOULA

Fish Chermoula image

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 17

For chermoula
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
12 whole black peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
a large pinch saffron threads, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons minced preserved lemon peel plus 2 tablespoons preserved lemon juice or fresh lemon juice to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander
1 garlic clove, minced
6 skinless small fish fillets such as sea bass, red snapper, or any other firm white lean fish (about 1 3/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup water
4 fennel bulbs (about 3 pounds), trimmed and cut lengthwise into thin strips, reserving fronds for garnish if desired

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.