Samkeh Harra

Samkeh Harrah (also hot fish, samkeh 7arra, samki 7arra, is a delicious Lebanese dish originating in the coastal city of Tripoli. It is known as a very healthy and energetic dish. Many famous small restaurants in the Mina (port) of Tripoli still serve this meal in Lebanese (Pita) bread.

Ingredients - Samkeh Harra:

• 1 kg fried or grilled fish flaked
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• ½ cup finely chopped coriander
• ½ cup ground pine nuts, almonds, and pistachio nuts
• 3 cups sesame paste sauce (Taratour)
• 1 tablespoon dried coriander
• a dash of ground paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground chili (red pepper)
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
  

Preparation:

• Fry in hot oil onion, bell pepper, and coriander until soft. Stir in spices, salt and ground nuts.

• Pour sesame paste sauce over the mixture, stir constantly on medium heat until the oil’s bubbles appear and the mixture thickens.

• Pour mixture in serving platter. Garnish with fish flakes, lemon wedges, fried pine nuts and some chopped parsley.