Harissa-Crusted Swordfish

A flavorful North African-inspired dish featuring swordfish fillets coated in a homemade harissa paste made with red chiles, warm spices, preserved lemon, and garlic. The fish is pan-seared until perfectly cooked and served with extra harissa sauce.

4 servings
1 hr 39 min

Ingredients

  • 2 whole red chiles (such as Fresno)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
  • ½ whole preserved lemon, flesh removed
  • 2 cloves garlic cloves
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • to taste Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 4 fillets (8-ounce) swordfish fillets (about 1-inch thick)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat broiler. Broil chiles on a foil-lined baking sheet, turning occasionally, until blackened all over, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit 15 minutes. Peel and set aside.

    23 min

  2. 2.

    Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer spices to a blender and let cool. Add preserved lemon peel, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, and reserved chiles and blend until smooth. Transfer harissa to a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set 1/4 cup harissa aside for serving.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Season swordfish with salt and pepper and place in a large baking dish. Coat with remaining harissa; cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

    60 min

  4. 4.

    Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Working in batches if needed, cook swordfish until cooked through (fish will feel firm when pressed), about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and serve with reserved harissa.

    6 min