Ras el Hanout is a spice mix found in Tunisian and Moroccan cooking. Consisting of over a dozen spices, each family or shop will have their own “best” blend. Halibut is nestled into this fragrant dish near the end of cooking time makes for an easy weeknight meal. Use any white fish you prefer, Halibut is our favourite.
Moroccan Fish
Simmering the chickpeas for 30 minutes softens their texture and lets them absorb some of the delicious flavours.
Couscous is a common starch in Moroccan cooking but it is full of gluten, so we generally opt for Basmati or Jasmine Rice.
Ingredients
- ½ lb (227 gr) halibut, no skin 0 CHO
- 1 TBSP Tomato Paste 2 CHO
- ¼ tsp. garlic minced 0 CHO
- 2 TBSP olive oil divided 0 CHO
- 100 gr tomatoes chopped 1 CHO
- ½ cup (60 gr) pepper, chopped 3 CHO
- 1 cup (170 gr) chickpeas, drained 30.6 CHO
- ¾ cup water 0 CHO
- ½ cup (9 gr) cilantro, chopped 0 CHO
- ¼ tsp. Salt 0 CHO
- ¼ tsp. pepper 0 CHO
- ¾ tsp. Ras el hanout divided 0 CHO
- ½ tsp. paprika 0 CHO
- ¼ tsp cumin 0 CHO
- 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice 0 CHO
- Lemon slices 0 CHO
- Cilantro to garnish if desired 0 CHO
TOTAL CHO 36.6 CHO
- SAUCE TOTAL WEIGHT 370 GRAMS
- 36.6 CHO DIVIDED BY 370 GRAMS = .098 CHO/GRAM
- ¼ CUP = 13 GRAMS (.098 CHO x 13 GRAMS) 1.27 CHO/1/4 CUP
- ¼ CUP = 52 GRAMS
Instructions
- Heat 1 TBSP oil in a tagine or medium skillet (with a tight-fitting lid for later).
- Add the tomato paste, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers. Sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Add chickpeas, water, cilantro, salt, pepper, and ¼ tsp. Ras el hanout. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the remaining Ras el hanout, paprika and cumin with 1 TBSP olive oil. Massage into both sides of the halibut and set aside.
- After 30 minutes simmering, nestle the fish into the tomato mixture, squeeze with lemon juice and add lemon slices.
- Cover and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
- Fish is done when flakes with a fork. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish.
- Garnish with more cilantro and serve immediately with rice of choice, or couscous.
