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Fish Bukhari Rice

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Arabic

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pinch saffron threads
  • 2 red snapper OR grouper fillets
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Chef Ammar Bukhari Spices or your preferred Bukhari spice mix plus more for seasoning fish
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 5 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 onion chopped
  • ¼ cup about 60 grams tomato paste
  • ½ cup large raisins
  • ½ cup cooked or canned chick peas
  • 2 ½ cups long grain Basmathi rice rinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes, drained
  • 3 ¾ cups water
  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 2 teaspoons salt plus more for seasoning fish
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup roasted or fried whole almonds optional

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl or cup, soak the saffron threads in 1 tablespoon hot water for about 20 minutes.
  • Generously season both sides of the fish fillets with the Bukhari spices.
  • Season the fish with a bit of salt. Cut crosswise in half, and make a few slits on the skin.
  • In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. Gently place the fish in the pan, and fry undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping over to the other side. When the fish is half-cooked, remove from heat and drain on paper towels. Reserve the oil.
  • In a large dutch oven or your rice cooker pot over medium high heat, heat ¼ cup of the reserved frying oil.
  • Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden.
  • Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring, until fragrant.
  • Add the 1 ½ tablespoons Bukhari spices and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, another 2 minutes.
  • Add the raisins and chick peas and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. The mixture should have a dark chocolate colour.
  • Add the saffron liquid, and stir to combine.
  • Add the rice, and gently stir until rice is evenly coated.
  • Add the water...
  • ...the chicken stock cube and the salt, and stir to combine.
  • Transfer the pot to your rice cooker, if using. Gently place the half-cooked fish in the pot.
  • Cook, until the liquid has evaporated. If using a stove, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking for about 10 minutes until the rice is done.
  • Garnish with the mint leaves, cilantro and almonds before serving.
Keyword rice dish