TUNISIAN FISH TAGINE

Tunisian Fish Tagine image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

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4 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 fresh red chiles
5 tablespoons olive oil
700 g (1 lb 6 oz) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 cm (1/2") cubes
1 1/2 teaspoons tumeric
2 medium onions, sliced into thin rings
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
4 Kaffir lime leaves, optional
2 teaspoons paprika
a pinch of saffron threads infused in 1 1/2 tablespoons warm water
4 x 150-170 g (5-6 oz) fish steaks, cod or hapuku
salt and pepper
2 x 400 g (14 oz) cans Italian tomatoes, pureed and sieved (about 2 cups)
large handful of cilantro to garnish

Steps:

Toast the cumin seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes over low heat. Grind to a powder in a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder and set aside.
Seed the chilies and cut into julienne strips.
Place half of the olive oil in one large frypan and half in a nonstick pan with a lid. Put the potato into the nonstick pan. Add the tumeric and fry, tossing and turning the potatoes.
At the same time in the other pan, fry the onion and celery, stirring occasionally. When the onion begins to soften, add the garlic, lime leaves, chiles, cumin, paprika and saffron. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes, then season lightly with salt and pepper and turn off the heat. Leave in the pan while the potatoes finish cooking.
As soon as the potatoes are cooked, season the fish steaks with salt and pepper and put them on top of the potatoes. Spoon the onion mixture over and around the steaks and pour over the tomatoes. Bring to boil over a medium-high heat, immediately lower it and cover. Cook gently for 7-10 minutes or until the fish is just cooked. Taste and season.
Serve in large warmed bowl, sprinkled with cilantro.