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Spiced Couscous with Fragrant Steamed Fish Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 113 reviews

Spiced Couscous with Fragrant Steamed Fish is a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring pearl couscous cooked al dente and infused with a rich, spiced tomato sauce. Tender flaky white fish fillets are gently steamed on top of the couscous, then drizzled with garlic and cumin-infused olive oil. This vibrant one-pan meal is finished with fresh cilantro and lemon wedges for a bright, fresh touch.

Ingredients

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Couscous and Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cups pearl couscous
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and trimmed, quartered
  • 3 plum tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges each
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • Fine sea salt and black pepper
  • ⅔ cup water

Fish and Garnish

  • 3 plum tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges each
  • 4 skin-on sea bass, branzino, or other flaky white fish fillets (about 3 ounces each), halved crosswise
  • 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

Instructions

  1. Cook Couscous: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook the pearl couscous over medium-high heat for 6 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under hot water to remove excess starch, then set aside.
  2. Prepare Tomato Mixture: Using a blender or food processor, pulse the quartered yellow onion and half of the plum tomatoes into a coarse, loose mixture with some texture remaining.
  3. Toast Spices: Heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a large lidded skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cinnamon stick, ground allspice, 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon paprika, and a good grind of black pepper. Fry for 1 minute until fragrant to release the spices’ aroma.
  4. Cook Tomato Sauce: Increase heat to high and add the blended onion and tomato mixture, tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon salt. Fry, stirring often, for 7 to 10 minutes until the sauce lightly caramelizes and begins to stick to the pan. Then add the remaining tomato wedges and cook for about 3 additional minutes until the sauce starts to catch on the bottom.
  5. Combine Couscous and Sauce: Stir in ⅔ cup water to loosen the sauce, then fold in the cooked couscous. Reduce heat to medium-high, cover, and cook for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  6. Steam the Fish: Lightly season the fish fillets with ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place them skin-side up on top of the couscous. Cover the pan and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the fish to steam gently until cooked through. Remove from heat and keep covered, letting the fish rest for 5 minutes before peeling off the skin.
  7. Prepare Garlic Oil: While the fish rests, heat the remaining ¼ cup olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, frying for about 1 minute until the garlic just begins to turn golden. Remove from heat, stir in ½ teaspoon paprika, then drizzle the fragrant oil over the steamed fish and couscous.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems. Serve directly from the pan with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish and couscous.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overcook the couscous; al dente texture provides the best bite and holds up well under the sauce and steaming fish.
  • Use fresh, firm white fish such as sea bass or branzino that holds together well when steamed.
  • The garlic oil drizzle adds a burst of flavor—don’t skip this final step for a more aromatic dish.
  • Peeling off the fish skin after steaming prevents it from becoming soggy and enhances the eating experience.
  • The cinnamon stick can be removed before serving.

Keywords: spiced couscous, steamed fish, sea bass recipe, Mediterranean fish dish, cumin spiced couscous, tomato sauce couscous

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/spiced-couscous-with-fragrant-steamed-fish-recipe/