About the Recipe
To welcome the New Year, the table is as important as the food itself. Before serving, gather your loved ones around a beautifully adorned table:
- Light candles to bring brightness, warmth, and luck for the year ahead.
- Place fresh wheatgrass (Sabzeh) on the table to symbolize rebirth and the renewal of nature.
- Decorate with vibrant pomegranates and sweet dates, representing prosperity, fertility, and the sweetness of life.
- For the sweet finale, serve a comforting bowl of traditional rice milk pudding infused with a hint of warmth.
Ingredients
For the Fish & Roast Vegetables:
1 Whole fish (your choice, cleaned and scaled—sea bass, sea bream, or snapper work beautifully)
Vegetables of choice: Peppers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes (all sliced into bite-sized pieces)
For the Aromatic Marinade:
2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
3–4 tbsp Olive oil
Seasonings: A generous pinch of salt, chilli pepper (or chilli flakes), turmeric powder and lemon juice.
For the Creamy Tahini Dip:
Tahini paste
Fresh lemon juice (to taste)
1 small clove Garlic (finely crushed)
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade and Vegetables
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6).
In a small bowl, whisk together the crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, chilli pepper, and turmeric until it forms a vibrant, golden-coloured oil.
Toss your sliced peppers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes in half of the marinade mixture so they are beautifully coated. Spread them out evenly across a large baking tray.
Step 2: Marinate and Position the Fish
Pat the whole fish completely dry with kitchen paper. Make 2–3 shallow, diagonal incisions on both sides of the fish, this helps the flavours penetrate the flesh.
Rub the remaining turmeric garlic marinade all over the fish, making sure to get inside the cuts and the inner cavity.
Nestled the seasoned fish right in the centre of the baking tray, surrounded by your colourful vegetables.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the tray to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes (depending on the size of your fish).
The fish is done when the flesh flakes easily with a fork and the skin looks slightly crisp. The vegetables should be beautifully roasted and caramelised at the edges.
Step 4: Whisk the Tahini Dip
While the tray is in the oven, combine the tahini paste, a splash of lemon juice, and the crushed garlic in a small bowl.
Whisk vigorously. The mixture will initially seize up and become thick—don't worry! Slowly drizzle in warm water, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until it transforms into a smooth, pourable, pale cream sauce. Season with a touch of salt.