My Cookbook: Souk to Table 
Arabic Fish in Tomato Sauce
You all know easy weeknight recipes are my passion & so is this Arabic fish cooked in tomato sauce. What’s not to love about a dish you can throw together in under 30 minutes for your family to enjoy? And the key to 30 minute dinners is using ingredients that cook quickly. That’s why fish and seafood are strong contenders for my weeknight menu. And this dish right here…. this one is a winner. It’s so convenient to make and it’s also very healthy and full of Mediterranean flavors.
I must admit that I don’t make Arabic Fish as often as I’d like, mainly because my husband absolutely hates fish (I know, right?! Shocking). And if I end up cooking fish, I’d have to think of something else to make for him. And that’s just a bit too much thinking after work, you feel me? But luckily my son is loving fish too and that definitely gives me more of an incentive.
This Arabic Fish recipe is cooked in tomato sauce and uses beautiful and easily accessible ingredients to elevate the fish and bring you rich, tangy flavor that goes perfectly with rice or a crusty piece of bread to mop up the juices. It’s a really fast and easy stove top cooking method. I’ve used one of my favorite fish, which is rainbow trout, but this can work with any type of fish, as long as it’s not too delicate. I’ve tried it with Salmon and it works really well too! You can really play around with the dry spices you use in this recipe to switch it up, and follow the same cooking method of searing the fish, then cooking in a tomato, onion and garlic sauce.
I like to garnish my fish with some fresh thyme (but if you don’t have this on hand, don’t worry, you can get away with skipping it or using dried thyme), a squeeze of lemon juice, and some thinly sliced red onions. It brings all the flavors together. And because I’m a huge rice lover, that’s how I eat mine. But I’ve also taken the leftovers and turned them into a delicious sandwich/wrap for lunch the next day.
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For more weeknight recipes, check out:
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Spicy Arayes (Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita)
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma
- Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Easy Mediterranean Fish
Ingredients
- 1 fillet rainbow trout
- 1 onion
- 2 tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspon pomegranate molasses
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Start by mixing the spices in a bowl, and using half the mixture to apply to the fish as a dry rub.
- Add a tablespoon of oil to your pan and on medium high heat, sear the fish on both sides, starting with skin side down.
- After searing a few minutes on each side, remove the fish and set aside.
- In the same pan, add a tbsp of oil and add the diced onion and crushed garlic, then cook on medium heat, until the onions wilt, about 5 minutes.
- While they cook, chop up the tomato into cubes and add to the pan, allowing them to cook down with half a cup of water and cover for about 10 minutes. Add the rest of the spices in as well.
- Taste sauce and adjust seasoning, then nestle in the fish along with a few sprigs of fresh thyme.
- Allow the fish to cook in the sauce for an additional 10 minutes, and check to ensure its cooked through. Serve with your favorite rice and enjoy!
This recipe but with sole fish, 100000/10.
This looks delicious. What size fish fillet would you recommend for this dish?
We normally get a large 1.5kg trout from Costco, would I need to double the recipe?
Hi Natalie! Yes, I would double it. I should have been more specific but it was made using a single rainbow trout fillet which are typically quite light, I’d say 800g or so.
Not great,needs work.
End result was too wet.
Cooking ANY fish fillet for 10 minutes is a sin.
I had hoped to gain insight to the wonderful eastern flavours I have had on parts of London but this is not it.
I have shown one star but should be a half.
Hi Liam! Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it. It is a recipe with a pan sauce, and so – there is a sauce for you to scoop over your rice. It’s not meant to be a dry fish recipe. Generally, fish can take anywhere between 8-15 minutes to cook, depending on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillet, and the cooking method (stove top, oven, etc.). Therefore, the recipe instructions say “about 10 minutes” as for an average sized fillet, this should work. Feel free to adjust it based on your specific fish. I will re-test this recipe and make updates though with more detail, I value your feedback.
This is one of the best fish recipes. I have added to my favourites……. thank-you for sharing with us💚💚💚
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Hazel!
beautiful
beautiful & healthy
Thanks Edward!
Made this and it was delicious. Simple ingredients which punch full flavour. Had 4 large fillets, so adjusted the quantities accordingly. Served it with plain basmati rice, imam bayaldi and spinach with garlic and olive oil. I would love to know which vegetables and style of rice Amina would recommend for an authentic experience.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it Lee! We usually make “red rice” to serve alongside fish, and that is one recipe that I will be sharing very soon!