Desserts
Sanjari Fish (Opened from the Back and Roasted)
Sanjari fish — a distinctive way to roast whole fish: it’s opened from the back, filled with a vegetable-and-spice stuffing, left open and roasted in the oven. Popular across Gulf countries and Egyptian coastal cities. Large fish (commonly mullet) are typically used.
Sanjari fish — prepared by opening the fish from the back and roasting it open in the oven. Absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
Start here, then move straight into the method.
- Large fish — any type you prefer (important that it’s large; mullet is traditional)
- 2 onions
- 3 grated carrots
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tomato — optional
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 hot chili pepper
- 2 lemons
- Ground cumin
- Black pepper
- Fish seasoning
- Paprika or sweet red pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Olive oil
- Note
- Do not over-roast the fish so it doesn’t dry out and lose its juiciness.
- The word “Sanjari” refers to the method of opening the fish from the back; “Sanjari” is the name of this preparation.
- For more of Fatima’s great recipes, see: Gulf Shrimp Hamisa
Method
Follow the cooking sequence without leaving the page.
- First and most importantly... open the fish from its back, not its belly; you can ask the fishmonger to do this... then clean the fish and let it drain
- Season the fish with lemon juice, mustard, salt, the listed spices, a drizzle of olive oil, and set it aside
- Prepare the stuffing... slice the onion and mix it with grated carrot, crushed garlic, chopped tomato, the listed spices, and half a lemon cut into slices... mix well
- Brush the inside of the opened, seasoned fish with a little olive oil, then distribute the stuffing we prepared... and leave it open
- You can also add tomato slices on top, as well as slices of green and hot pepper
- Grease the baking tray with a little oil—it's best to line it with aluminum foil and then oil the foil
- Place the Sanjari fish on the foil and heat the oven from the bottom until the fish is cooked
- Afterwards, turn on the top heating element so the fish browns and takes on a grilled flavor and color
- Serve the Sanjari fish immediately... you can serve rice, potatoes, salad, or baba ghanoush alongside it, according to preference
Recipe tags
DessertsInternationalPescatarianDairy freeGluten freeNut freeEgg freeBakedGrilledFish
Notes and serving ideas
- Gulf Shrimp Hamisa
