Tajen samak "fish with tahini"

Tajen or Fish with tahini is easy to prepare and the perfect dish for the seafood lovers, It is called tajen in the Lebanese cuisine. There is no specific fish for this dish but I prefer Tilapia or sea bass and easily found in any market.

This dish is a favorite to many especially with the lemony tahini sauce in addition of the toasted almonds and the pine nuts.

Prep. time: 25 mins

Serves: 4 to 5

INGREDIENTS:

800 grams white fish filets "tilapia, sea bass, red snapper”

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion sliced wings

1/2 cup tahini

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup water

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

2 small garlic gloves crushed

3 tbsp pine nuts

1/4 cup blanched almonds

PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F or 180 C. Bake the fish filet in a greased pan with a bit of salt and a dash of white pepper for about 15 to 20 mins or until the fish flakes easily when checked with a fork. Set aside until you prepare the tahini sauce.

In a bowl mix well with a whisk the tahini, crushed garlic, lemon juice, you will notice that it will become very thick. As soon as you add the water stirring continuously, it will soften and you will have a smooth creamy sauce. Finally add the salt and the white pepper then mix well.

In a pan stir fry the onion wings with the olive oil for 2 mins over medium heat until transparent. Add the tahini sauce stirring constantly until it boils for 2 mins.

In a serving platter, arrange the fish then pour the sauce on top. Now stir fry the pine nuts and the almonds separately with a bit of oil until golden. Scatter all the nuts on top of the sauce and yummy with our Lebanese pitta bread.

This dish can be served as a platter or mezza . It is one of my favourite fish dishes, I love the distinguished taste of the fish along with the lemony tahini sauce. Once you try it, you will definitely want to have it again.

Enjoy!!