Mackerel with Cauliflower "Couscous" and Tahini

A sophisticated dish featuring broiled Spanish mackerel served over cauliflower processed to resemble couscous, drizzled with homemade tahini sauce and topped with a crunchy seed mixture and fresh pomegranate seeds.

4 servings
33 min

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon nigella seeds
  • 2 whole Spanish mackerel
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1 bunch thyme
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro
  • tahini
  • lemon juice
  • oil
  • ¼ cup water

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over mediumhigh. Working in batches if needed, cook cauliflower, tossing occasionally, until florets are browned in spots but still crunchy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool. Reserve skillet.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Working in 2 batches, pulse cauliflower in a food processor until the size of rice grains. Transfer back to bowl, toss with lemon juice, and season with salt.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Cook pumpkin seeds and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in reserved skillet over medium heat, stirring, until seeds are golden brown, about 1 minute. Season with salt. Toss in a small bowl with sesame and nigella seeds.

    1 min

  4. 4.

    Heat broiler. Place fish on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with oil; season all over with salt. Stuff cavity with lemon and thyme. Broil, turning once, until cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes.

    17 min

  5. 5.

    Spoon cauliflower onto plates; drizzle with tahini sauce. Top with seed mixture and pomegranate seeds. Remove fillets from fish and place, skin side up, on top. Add cilantro and a sprinkle of salt.

    5 min