Samak Maqlū (Fried Stuffed Fish)

Ingredients

• fresh fish
• garlic
• dried thyme/savory
• spices
• saffron
• sesame oil
• aged murri

Instructions

1. Slit and wash a fresh fish well, then cut it into medium pieces.
2. Pound garlic, thyme (saʿtar), and the customary spices (abāzīr), stuff the pieces with them, and fold each piece over the stuffing.
3. Color with saffron and fry in fresh sesame oil (shīraj).
4. When cooked, lift the pieces from the pan and place them in aged murrī (fermented sauce).
5. Alternatively, stuff some pieces with the grilled-fish stuffing described in the previous recipe.