Mutabbaq Samak (Kuwaiti Fried Fish on Spiced Rice)
Local name: مطبق سمك
In short: Golden fried fish steaks laid over rice cooked in a turmeric, tomato and dried lime stock, served with a tangy tomato sauce. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 510 kcal
Mutabbaq samak is one of Kuwait's most popular seafood dishes. Firm white fish is marinated with turmeric and lemon, fried until golden, and set on a bed of rice cooked in a well-spiced fish stock with onion, tomato and dried lime. A spoonful of daqqus, the garlicky tomato sauce, goes on each plate. Families cook it for Friday lunch and weekend gatherings.
Instructions
- Toss the fish with the turmeric, salt, garlic and lemon juice. Leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Heat 4 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the fish dry, then fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (63°C / 145°F). Set aside on paper towels.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wide heavy pot. Cook the onions for 10 minutes until deep golden. Add the garlic, tomato paste and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom and pepper for 30 seconds. Add the dried limes, hot stock and salt, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes so the stock takes on flavor.
- Drain the rice and stir it in. Return to a boil, cover and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Rest the rice off the heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the fish for 5 minutes in a 150°C (300°F) oven, loosely covered with foil.
- Fluff the rice onto a platter and lay the fish on top. Serve with lemon wedges and daqqus.
Tips
- Choose thick, firm fish such as grouper. Delicate fillets fall apart in the pan and in the rice.
- For a quick homemade fish stock, simmer fish heads and bones with 1 onion and a bay leaf in 1 litre (4 cups) of water for 20 minutes, then strain.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen fish for mutabbaq samak?
Yes. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and pat it very dry before marinating, or the fish will steam instead of fry.
Is mutabbaq samak the same as machboos?
They are close cousins, since both cook rice in a spiced broth. Mutabbaq samak uses fish stock, with the fish fried separately and laid on top of the rice.
What goes with mutabbaq samak?
Daqqus (tomato sauce), lemon wedges and a simple salad of cucumber, tomato and onion.
How long does it take to make Mutabbaq Samak (Kuwaiti Fried Fish on Spiced Rice)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mutabbaq Samak (Kuwaiti Fried Fish on Spiced Rice)?
About 510 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 510 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
