| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 371 | 9g | 1g | 39g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 5g | 29g | 0.6g |
Why I Love Saudi Arabian Fish Fattoush
I’ve always maintained a healthy love for experimenting with flavors and techniques from various corners of the globe, while keeping my culinary voice rooted in my Italian-American heritage. One such global flavor that has recently piqued my interest is a delightful Saudi Arabian specialty, Fish Fattoush. The textures, the aromas, the shared family experience -everything about this recipe excites me, and I’m confident it will do the same for you too.
The Inspiration Behind the Dish
Being someone who apprenticed at the feet of my grandparents, I am often drawn to recipes that touch on family and tradition. While Fish Fattoush is not an Italian-American staple, when I was first introduced to this recipe by my friend and renowned chef, Sami Tamimi, I realized it shared an element I hold dear – it brings families together around the table. Renowned for his expertise in Middle Eastern cuisine, Sami’s Fish Fattoush recipe inspired me to recreate the dish with a splash of my unique style.
A Dish That Complements Others
What I particularly appreciate about Fish Fattoush is its flexibility and compatibility with other dishes. Much like many Italian-American favorites, it’s all about how each individual ingredient shines and collectively enhances the overall flavor. Fish Fattoush is perfect for serving at gatherings where a variety of dishes are on offer. It pairs well with other Middle Eastern classics such as hummus and tabbouleh, but also complements a traditional spaghetti aglio e olio or even a salad caprese, making it an excellent addition to an international potluck or feast.
It’s this shared spirit of family, love, and tradition that makes me so fond of Fish Fattoush. Even though it’s a distant culinary cousin to the foods I grew up with, it embodies the same principles that were instilled in me from an early age – good, honest food brings people together. And so, I invite you to explore this recipe and maybe even make it your family tradition.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs of white fish fillets
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2 medium red onions, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups of chopped Romain lettuce
- 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint
- 5 pita bread rounds, toasted and broken into pieces
- 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, for garnish
Method
Step One
Season the white fish fillets with the sea salt and black pepper. In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the fish to the pan and cook for about 4-6 minutes on each side until it is fully cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the fish from pan and set aside.
Step Two
In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute until it’s fragrant. Then, add the chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onions and green bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Step Three
Next, add the chopped Romaine lettuce to the pan. Stir well to combine the vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes until the lettuce is slightly wilted. Remove the pan from the heat.
Step Four
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white vinegar and ground cumin to make the dressing. Pour this dressing over the cooked vegetables and toss well to combine.
Step Five
Flake the cooked fish and add it to the vegetable mixture. Add the chopped fresh parsley, fresh mint and toasted, broken pita bread pieces. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
Step Six
Transfer the Fish Fattoush to a serving dish and garnish with the sesame seeds. Serve immediately while it’s still warm. Enjoy your flavorful and healthy dish!
