One of my favorite Lebanese/ Arabic dishes is Sayadieh, it is basically a great way to incorporate fish into our diet specially for those who are not big fish fans, aka children. Done in the orthodox way, this is considered one of the elaborate recipes, but being a full time working mom, i won’t deprive my family from such a nutritious meal because of a complex recipe, which is why i simplified it. This is an easy ‘shortcut’ method, so please don’t judge
for all dishes that have rice within the recipe, it is highly recommended to use long grain rice, known as American rice, or in our region ‘Uncle Bens’.
For this recipe you will need:
1 Kilo fish fillets, preferably hamour, if i am in a hurry and no access to fresh fish, i get the frozen ones
2 TBS Canola Oil
4 onions sliced lengthwise
4 cups fish stock or water
2 cups long grain rice ( American)
Spices: cinnamon, all spice, cumin, nutmeg, white pepper, dried rosemary if available
You will also need a hand held mixer to not splatter all over the kitchen
Pine nuts & slivered almonds for garnich (toast in a small pan with oil, butter, or just spray oil)
First put the fish fillets in an oiled tray, sprinkle salt and pepper all over on both sides. turn them in the oil so they will be coated and not dray out.
Fry sliced onions
Second slice all the onions, the onions are what will give the whole dish the real flavor, which is why you need so much. Brown them (not burn) in the oil, this will take a while, use medium to low heat.
Brown the onions & add spices
Add the spices it will help with the color (I know that’s cheating a bit). Transfer onion to a deep pot before adding the stock.
Add stock or water to browned onions
Add 3 cups of the stock/ water to the onions (make sure they were browned really well), stir, then using a handheld mixer put in in the pot and blend the onion/stock mixture, it will be thick.
By this time the fish is done, be careful not to overcook to not become rubbery.
Add the sauce to the rice in addition to the remaining 1 cup stock/ water , & salt, and cook as usual. you can add more cinnamon, and all spice, if you like, it will give it an even stronger flavor.
Lay the onion rice and top with fish fillets and nuts
Put the rice in a serving dish, lay the fish on top, and garnish with the nuts.
Bon Apetit!
If you try this recipe, would love to know how it turned out!
