Ingredients for the Fish
- 1 sea bream (fagri)
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation
- Clean the fish by removing scales and guts, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make two cuts on each side of the fish and season with salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil.
- Massage the seasonings into the cuts and cavity of the fish.
- Preheat the grill and place the fish on the rack, grilling on one side until golden.
- Flip and grill on the other side until golden as well.
- This process takes about 35-40 minutes to cook thoroughly without drying out.
Ingredients for Ajjem Pilaf
- 250 g Carolina rice
- 650 ml water (add more if needed)
- 150 g butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar (add more if desired)
- 1 additional tablespoon sugar
- 4 nests of vermicelli
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- Salt
- Orange zest
Preparation
- In a pot, add water and salt, then bring to a boil.
- Add the rice and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, stir well, and simmer until the rice becomes creamy.
- In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the vermicelli and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
- Stir continuously until the vermicelli turns a nice golden brown.
- Just before removing the rice from heat, add the toasted vermicelli, raisins, and orange zest.
- Stir well, then remove from heat.
- Cover the pot with a clean towel and its lid, and let it rest for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
This dish combines the delicate flavors of grilled sea bream with the sweet and fragrant Ajjem pilaf, making for a deliciously balanced Mediterranean meal. Enjoy the warmth and richness of this traditional pairing!
