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Safi Maqli

Name: Safi Maqli
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Bahrain
Ingredients: 4 Horse Mackerel; 1 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Cumin powder; 3 cloves Garlic; 1/2 tsp Chili powder; 1 Lemon; 1 tsp Salt; 3 tbsp All-purpose flour; To taste Oil for frying; To taste Cooked rice

Main Dish

⏱ 40 min

👥 Serves 4

Difficulty ⭐

Rabbitfish rubbed with spices and fried — Bahrain's signature fish dish.

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📖 The Story Behind This Dish

Safi (rabbitfish) is the most beloved fish in Bahrain, said to be the national fish. For safi maqli, the fish is rubbed with turmeric, cumin, garlic, and chili and fried crisp, then served with white rice and tomato sauce. It's a dish that symbolizes the sea's bounty in the island nation of Bahrain.

🌆 Where it's eaten: At an eatery near a Bahraini fishing harbor, a whole fish fried golden is served on a plate with rice and lime.

🥕 Ingredients (serves 4)

Horse Mackerel 4
Turmeric 1 tsp
Cumin powder 1 tsp
Garlic 3 cloves
Chili powder 1/2 tsp
Lemon 1
Salt 1 tsp
All-purpose flour 3 tbsp
Oil for frying To taste
Cooked rice To taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Scale and gut the fish and make slits on both sides.
Mix the grated garlic, spices, salt, and lemon juice, rub into the fish, and let stand 30 minutes.
Dust lightly with flour.
Fry in 170°C oil until crisp on both sides.
Serve with rice and lemon.

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