The Moroccan fish Tagine with chermoula is an exceptional fish and vegetable dish baked in a delicious marinade. Chermoula, pronounced Shar-moo-la, is a popular Moroccan marinade made of tomato sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. This Tagine looks like no other, tastes like no other, and smells like no other! It will be the “pièce de résistance” that will make your crowd’s stomach growl. Guaranteed!
Making a Successful Chermoula!
Chermoula is usually used for cooking meat and is very easy to make. However, correct measurements are essential to ensure a nice flavor and consistency. Using a lot of olive oil and tomato sauce will produce a runny sauce, while using a little may burn the Tagine.
The choice of veggies is also vital. For this recipe, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes work best! You may also add red, yellow, or orange peppers. However, using green bell peppers may compromise the taste.
Cumin and garlic are a must! Along with paprika, salt, and pepper, the spices are the secret to a successful Chermoula!
Finally, parsley and cilantro add an incredible flavor you don’t want to miss. Therefore, it’s best if the herbs are fresh.
Baking a Moroccan Fish Tagine with Chermoula
Growing up, my parents used to stick this Tagine in the oven and sit down to chat while it baked. Some families cook this dish in a Tagine on the stovetop, but I prefer the oven-baked version. If you’d instead cook this Tagine on the stovetop, you may very well do so. Both ways work fine; it’s just a matter of personal preference!
Baking this Tagine requires three steps:
- First, place the marinated potatoes clockwise on a casserole dish. Next, put the carrots on top of the potatoes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake in the middle rack of a preheated 350-degree F oven for 30 minutes.
- Second, uncover the Tagine, and put in the marinated fish, tomatoes, and red peppers. I used Cod in my recipe, but you may also use Whiting or your favorite fish. Cover with aluminum foil, and put the dish back in the oven—Bake for 30 minutes.
- Finally, uncover the casserole dish and check on the sauce consistency. If the sauce is too runny, return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for 5 minutes (maximum). The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Serving a Yummy Tagine!
The aroma of this Tagine while baking will make your house smell amazing! While waiting, you may prepare some fresh lemon slices and set the table for tea and bread. I recommend pairing this Tagine with a baguette and Moroccan mint tea (or Coke).
Serve the fish Tagine straight from the oven! Squeeze a little bit of lemon before the first bite, and Bessaha!
Moroccan Chermoula Fish Tagine
Ingredients
- 3 Cod filets (you may also use whiting or your favorite fish)
The Marinate (Chermoula)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- garlic
- cumin
- 1-1/4 tsp salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- 2 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp freshly chopped cilantro
The Veggies
- 2 medium-sized potatoes (sliced in rounds)
- 3 medium-sized carrots (sliced)
- 1 tomato (sliced in rounds)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
Garnishing
- sliced lemons
- parsley and cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients and put in the sliced potatoes and carrots.
- Place the marinated potatoes in a casserole dish clockwise, followed by the carrots on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the middle rack for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, let the cod and bell peppers marinate.
- Uncover the Tagine, and put in the marinated cod and red peppers. Scrape the leftover marinade using the slices of tomatoes.
- Place the tomatoes near the bell peppers and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Put the casserole dish back in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover the casserole dish and check on the sauce consistency. If the sauce is too runny, return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for five more minutes (maximum). The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Serve your Tagine hot, paired with a baguette and Moroccan mint tea (or Coke)
- Squeeze some lemon before the first bite, and enjoy!
Notes
Want to pair it with some Moroccan bread? Check this easy-to-make recipe!
Did you make this Tagine? Tag @petitapron on Instagram, and let’s get social!
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