Samak Sayadiya
Egyptian Fisherman's Rice
A classic Egyptian coastal dish featuring tender, pan-fried fish served atop fragrant rice infused with the deep, sweet flavor of caramelized onions. This dish is a testament to simple, fresh ingredients transformed into a rich and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Whole fish (e.g., sea bream, sea bass, tilapia)
- 400 g Long-grain rice (e.g., basmati or Egyptian rice)
- 5 Large yellow onions
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Baharat (Egyptian seven-spice blend)
- 1/2 cup Vegetable oil or ghee(for frying fish and caramelizing onions)
- 800 ml Water or fish stock(approximately, for cooking rice)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- Lemon wedges(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fish: Pat the cleaned fish dry with paper towels. Score both sides of the fish with shallow diagonal cuts. Season generously inside and out with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Deep-caramelize the onions: Heat about 1/4 cup of oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions. Cook slowly, stirring frequently, for 40-50 minutes, or until the onions are deeply browned, very soft, and have a rich, sweet aroma. Be patient; this step is crucial for the dish's flavor. If they start to burn, reduce the heat. Once caramelized, remove about half of the onions and set aside for the rice. Keep the remaining onions and the oil in the pot.
⏱️ 50 minutes - 3
Fry the fish: While the onions are caramelizing, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the seasoned fish into the hot oil (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet). Fry for about 6-8 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The flesh should flake easily with a fork. Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Cook the rice: Add the rinsed rice to the pot with the caramelized onions and their oil. Stir well to coat the rice grains. Add the reserved caramelized onions, cumin, and baharat. Pour in the water or fish stock. Season with salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Simmer the rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during this time. Once cooked, let the rice rest, covered, off the heat for 10 minutes.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 6
Assemble and serve: Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork. Spoon a generous portion of the onion-infused rice onto each serving plate. Carefully place a piece of the fried fish on top of the rice. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to Samak Sayadiya is the deep caramelization of the onions. Don't rush this step; the darker and sweeter the onions, the richer the flavor of the rice.
- ✓Ensure the fish is thoroughly dried before frying to achieve a crispy skin and prevent oil splattering.
- ✓Using fish stock instead of water will add an extra layer of depth to the rice.
- ✓This dish is traditionally served as a complete meal, rich and satisfying on its own.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a seafood medley, add shrimp or calamari during the last few minutes of rice cooking.
- Experiment with different types of firm white fish.
- A pinch of chili flakes can be added for a hint of heat.