Baked Fish Nicosia

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, pressed

pinch of cayenne

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

Salt to taste

3 cups whole wheat bread crumbs

½ cup chopped fresh basil

Rest of dish:

2 pounds firm white fish fillets

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

2 garlic cloves, pressed

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Juice of two lemons (about ¼ cup)

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Lemon wedges

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet. Add garlic and let it sizzle a minute. Add cayenne, cumin, coriander and salt, stirring for a few minutes, being careful not to burn. Add bread crumbs and stir so they are coated with spices and oil. Continue to stir until the crumbs are golden and crisp. Add chopped basil and stir for another minute, then remove from heat. Rinse fish fillets in cold water, pat dry with paper towels and place them, skin side down, in an oiled baking dish. Spread the chopped tomatoes evenly over the fish. Sprinkle on the garlic, parsley, and then the lemon juice, and add a little salt and pepper. Top with bread crumbs, completely covering fish. Bake, uncovered for about 20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with lemon wedges. Serve with a rice or bulgur pilaf and a green salad dressed with olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Fresh fruit would be a good dessert, or serve a pastry like baklava.

#cyprus #fish