Saffron Fish With Red Peppers and Preserved Lemon

By Joan Nathan

Published March 17, 2021

Saffron Fish With Red Peppers and Preserved Lemon
Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Carrie Purcell.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(1,021)
Comments
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This very flexible recipe is often served by Moroccan Jews and their descendants. Many who moved to France, for example, tend to prepare it with preserved lemons and olives. Others living in Jerusalem, like Danielle Renov, author of “Peas, Love & Carrots” (Mesorah Publications, 2020), might incorporate more spice. (Ms. Renov omits the saffron for Passover.) With the addition of red peppers and tomatoes coming from the Americas, it became the rich Moroccan dish it is today. Traditionally made with white fish, it also works with salmon or shad. Serve this as an appetizer, symbolic of the wish for abundance. Assemble it in the morning and cook it just before serving, or eat the fish at room temperature. For a main course, add quinoa or couscous to soak up the flavorful juices.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 8 servings
  • A few pinches to ½ teaspoon saffron strands
  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 3red bell peppers, trimmed, quartered, seeded, then halved crosswise
  • 1large red or yellow onion, diced
  • 2tomatoes, diced
  • 6garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
  • 1bunch cilantro, leaves and delicate stems separated and chopped
  • Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
  • 8skinless fish fillets (about 4 ounces each), such as salmon, sea bass, striped bass, whitefish or rockfish
  • 1teaspoon ground sweet paprika
  • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼cup pitted kalamata or green Moroccan olives
  • 1preserved lemon, rinsed, chopped (peel and flesh) and seeded (or the juice of 1 fresh lemon)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

116 calories; 6 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 425 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour 2 cups of boiling water into a bowl and sprinkle with the saffron strands. Use a spoon to press the saffron strands against the side of the bowl to release the flavor. Cover the bowl with a plate and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over low. Add the bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro stems, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is transparent.

  3. Step 3

    Nestle the fish into the vegetables, sprinkle with the paprika, red-pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Pour the prepared saffron water over everything. (You can do all of this in advance 1 day in advance, and refrigerate until ready to finish.)

  4. Step 4

    When ready to cook, add the olives and preserved lemon (if using — but if using fresh lemon, that will come in Step 5). Bring the mixture to a boil over high, reduce to low, cover the pan and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, basting the fish every 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the cilantro leaves during the last few minutes of cooking.

  5. Step 5

    Taste for seasoning and serve, setting the fish on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice, if not using the preserved lemon. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
1,021 user ratings
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Comments

Natasha

We have made our own family’s variation on Moroccan fish hundreds of times. I can assure you that this recipe by no means overcooks the fish.

KLP

I halved the recipe for 2 people for dinner and served it over rice. Excellent. I used one giant red bell pepper and capers instead of olives. It took about 10 minutes for the cod (not quite a lb., cut into four pieces) to cook through. My husband wanted the peppers a bit softer. I liked them as is, tender crisp, but l may try cutting the peppers smaller next time. Don’t skip the preserved lemon.

Erica

I suggest using a medium Dutch oven or stock pot as shown in the photo, not a skillet. The volume of ingredients needs a vessel with higher sides. Made this for the first time and it came out great!

georgia

Just a general note...I often find that rice just blots out flavors. It absorbs them and softens the brightness or heat from the ingredients. Keep in mind what you choose to serve as an accompaniment to your dish.

georgia

I am making this tonight for two. Everything is prepared except for adding the fish and the final ingredients. I "sort of" reduced ingredients by half, being generous, Halving a recipe's principal ingredient doesn't necessarily mean that halving everything is the way to go. Go little by little with the salt, pepper, spices, and keep adding until you've got the flavors you want. Keep tasting. My cooking liquid is delicious. I know the final dish wil be, also.

Christine

I loved this so much. Followed recipe to a tee. PERFECT

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