In short
Mutabbaq Samak is a Kuwaiti dish of Zubaidi fish, also known as silver pomfret, rubbed with spices and fried, then served on rice cooked with whole black lemons. A topping of fried onions, raisins, black lemon powder and reserved spices goes over the rice before the fish.
Key takeaways
- The fish rub is black pepper, turmeric, cardamom powder and coriander powder, with half a teaspoon saved for the topping.
- Score the Zubaidi on both sides, salt and rub it with spices, then rest it for 60 minutes.
- The rice soaks for 30 minutes and cooks with fried onion and two whole black lemons.
- Top the rice with onions and raisins cooked in oil, then place the fried fish on top.
Mutabbaq Samak Zubaidi, also known as silver pomfret, is the most popular Kuwait dish with black lemon, Arabic spices, fish, stews, and soups, boasting a delicious taste and flavor. Here are the ingredients and instructions to make Mutabbaq Samak Zubaidi. Read on!
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients for fish:
- Two medium-sized Zubaidi fish
- A half teaspoon of black pepper
- A half teaspoon of turmeric
- One teaspoon of cardamom powder
- One teaspoon of coriander powder
For rice, you will need these ingredients
- ¼ cup of oil
- One chopped onion
- Two cups of rice
- Two teaspoons of salt
- Two whole black lemons
You will need the following ingredients for topping
- Two tablespoons of oil
- One cup of chopped onions
- ¼ cup of raisins
- One teaspoon of black lemon powder
- A half teaspoon of reserved spices
Instructions
- Mix the spices and reserve a half teaspoon for topping
- Wash the fish with water
- Cut the fish into gashes on the sides
- Sprinkle with salt and use spices for rubbing
- Set aside or place in the refrigerator for 60 minutes
- Fry the fish in oil
- Wash rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes
- Drain the water and fry the chopped onion in oil
- Now add rice, three or four cups of hot water, and lemon to the pot
- Bring to a boil and cook on a low heat
- Make sure the rice absorbs the water
- Cook onions and raisins in oil to prepare toppings
- Add the reserved spices and salt
- Put rice on a serving plate and use toppings for garnishing
- Once done, place the fried fish on top of it
Quick answers
What is Zubaidi fish?
Zubaidi is the fish used in Mutabbaq Samak, and it is also known as silver pomfret. This recipe calls for two medium-sized Zubaidi fish, washed, scored on the sides, rubbed with salt and spices, rested for an hour and then fried in oil before going on the rice.
What spices are used for Mutabbaq Samak?
The fish is seasoned with black pepper, turmeric, cardamom powder and coriander powder. Half a teaspoon of this mix is kept aside for the topping. The rice is flavored with whole black lemons, and the topping adds black lemon powder alongside the onions and raisins.
How do you cook the rice for Mutabbaq Samak?
Wash two cups of rice and soak them for 30 minutes. Drain, fry a chopped onion in oil, then add the rice, three or four cups of hot water and the black lemons. Bring it to a boil and cook on low heat until the rice absorbs the water.
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