Samak Mashwi bil Tamar
A delightful Omani dish featuring grilled fish marinated in a paste made from dates, herbs, and spices, offering a unique sweet and savory flavor profile. 'Samak Mashwi' means grilled fish, and 'bil Tamar' signifies with dates.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 medium Whole fish(e.g., sea bream or snapper, cleaned and scaled)
- 1/2 cup Pitted dates(softened in warm water)
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 inch Ginger(fresh, grated)
- 1 tsp Coriander seeds(toasted and ground)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds(toasted and ground)
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp Chili flakes(or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Lime juice
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- for garnish chopped Fresh parsley
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fish: Make a few shallow slashes on both sides of each fish. Season the cavity and the slashes with salt.
- 2
Make the date paste: In a food processor, combine the softened pitted dates, garlic cloves, grated ginger, ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric powder, chili flakes, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend until a smooth paste forms. Add a tablespoon of water if needed to achieve the right consistency.
- 3
Marinate the fish: Generously coat the fish, inside and out, with the date paste. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- 4
Preheat your grill or oven broiler to medium-high heat. If using an oven, line a baking sheet with foil.
- 5
Grill or broil the fish for 10-12 minutes per side, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The date paste will caramelize and char slightly, which is desirable.
- 6
Brush the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the fish during the last few minutes of cooking for extra sheen.
- 7
Serve the grilled fish hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the dates are soft enough to blend into a smooth paste. If they are dry, soak them in warm water for longer.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your spice preference.
- ✓Don't overcook the fish, as it can become dry. It's done when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of cardamom to the date paste for a more complex aroma.
- Serve with a side of plain rice or a fresh Omani salad.
- Instead of grilling, you can bake the fish in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 20-25 minutes.