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5.0 from 15 votes

Samke Harra (Spicy Fish)

Samke harra (spicy fish) is a delicious Lebanese dish of oven-baked seasoned cod drizzled with tahini sauce.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 270 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lebanese

Ingredients

Tahini Sauce
  • ½ cup tahini paste
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves grated
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup water
Fish & Toppings
  • 2 ½ pounds cod fillets
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
  2. Place the cod fillets in an 8x11 oven-safe baking dish. Use paper towels to pat the fish dry, then season with cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper on both sides. Drizzle with the olive oil and use your hands to rub the oil and seasoning all over the fish on both sides. Bake the fish until it flakes off easily with a fork, 10-15 minutes.
  3. During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish and toast in the oven until browned.
  4. Meanwhile, place the tahini paste in a small bowl. Add the lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Use a fork or whisk to combine the ingredients until they form a thick paste. Slowly add water to the mixture and whisk until completely combined, smooth with a pourable texture.
  5. When the fish is done cooking, drizzle the tahini sauce all over. Scatter the pine nuts and chopped parsley on top and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For best results, serve with my Lebanese Rice.
  • Storage: Leftover Samkeh Harra can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, keep the pine nuts separate to maintain crunchiness. To reheat, warm it in the microwave until heated through.
  • Leftover Samkeh Harra can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, keep the pine nuts separate to maintain crunchiness. To reheat, warm it in the microwave until heated through.
  • Tips:
  • Toast pine nuts for maximum flavor. During the last 5 minutes of the fish cooking, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish and pop it in the oven to toast until browned.
  • Toast pine nuts for maximum flavor. During the last 5 minutes of the fish cooking, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish and pop it in the oven to toast until browned.
  • Go low and slow when making the tahini sauce. The sauce should be smooth and pourable but not too thin. Add the water slowly, whisking constantly, to achieve the right texture.
  • Go low and slow when making the tahini sauce. The sauce should be smooth and pourable but not too thin. Add the water slowly, whisking constantly, to achieve the right texture.
  • Avoid overcooking the fish. Bake the fish just until it flakes easily with a fork, which typically takes 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Overcooked fish can result in dry, rubbery fish so keep a close eye on it.
  • Avoid overcooking the fish. Bake the fish just until it flakes easily with a fork, which typically takes 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Overcooked fish can result in dry, rubbery fish so keep a close eye on it.
  • Don't forget the finishing touches. When the fish is done cooking, drizzle the tahini sauce over the fish and scatter the pine nuts and chopped parsley on top. 
  • Don't forget the finishing touches. When the fish is done cooking, drizzle the tahini sauce over the fish and scatter the pine nuts and chopped parsley on top. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 2cups Calories 270kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Cholesterol 61mg (20%) Sodium 447mg (19%) Potassium 708mg (20%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 0.4g (1%) Vitamin A 183IU (4%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 52mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 270

% Daily Value*

Serving 2cups
Calories 270kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Sodium 447mg 19%
Potassium 708mg 15%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 0.4g 1%
Vitamin A 183IU 4%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 52mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.