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Fried Marinated Fish Served Cold

This makes an exciting cold first course or buffet dish. The fish is fried, then marinated in a beautifully flavored dressing. Make it at least an hour before you are ready to serve. You can use Mediterranean fish, such as bream, or any firm-fleshed fish, such as cod or haddock.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8

Ingredients

2 pounds fish fillets, skinned and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Flour
Olive oil for frying

For the Marinade

3/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 onion, finely chopped
1 chili pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
6–8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2–1 lemon
Salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Roll the fish fillets in flour, turning to cover them lightly all over. Then deep-fry briefly in hot oil till golden, turning them over once. Drain on paper towels.

    Step 2

    Mix the marinade ingredients and turn the fish in this mixture. Leave for at least an hour before serving cold.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
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