Sayadieh is a popular Middle Eastern dish that is easy to make in a few simple steps. Originating in Labnon, this recipe comprises fish and rice. The preparation is unique because it uses a spice mixture to season the rice and fish.

Traditionally, the cooking method uses whole fish. The fish bones are then turned into stock, and rice is cooked. Here are the ingredients and the process to make this recipe. 

Ingredients required to make sayadieh: 

Contrary to popular belief, making a sayadieh recipe is simple. This dish includes fragrant rice, pan-grilled fish, caramelized onions, and toasted nuts. 

Caramelized onions for sauce preparation 

Caramelized onions are the main ingredients of the dish. These onions are used to make the special sauce in which the rice is cooked. However, onions are not the only ingredients used to prepare the sauce. 

Other ingredients for sauce-making include tomato paste, water, and different spices, including cinnamon powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, salt, and pepper. 

Rice 

The simple sayadieh rice recipe uses basmati rice, but it is important to soak it in water for about 20 minutes before draining it. Long-grain rice would be better than the short-grain variety. 

A reason for using long-grain rice, such as basmati rice, is that its texture is firmer and less sticky. So, the cooked rice appears tender and does not look sticky. 

Fish 

You can choose any fish, but it should preferably weigh 1.5 lbs. Choose a flakey and white fish, such as snapper, hammour, cod, or halibut. Go to a fishmonger to skin and filet the fish. You can also get the fish cut into larger pieces.

Spices 

To prepare the rice, you should use sayadieh spices such as coriander, turmeric, and cumin. If saffron is readily available, you can also add it. A cardamom pod or dried limes are also good options.  

Experiment with a combination of spices as your sayadieh ingredients to suit your taste-buds. Onion powder, garlic powder, old bay, and many other spices can also be used. 

Herbs 

Herbs give any dish its flavour and aroma. When preparing sayadieh, consider adding some herbs. You can pick cilantro, parsley, or other herbs. 

Preparing the sayadieh recipe  

Preparing a sayadieh recipe is a simple process. You can explore this simple way to make this recipe. Here are the steps:

Cook the rice 

When cooking rice for the sayadieh rice recipe, make sure that you let it steam. Considering the rice quantity, you can turn the timer on for 5-10 minutes. That gives the rice ample time to steam in the pot, absorbing any extra liquid.

After properly steaming, the rice recipe for fish will look more fluffy and consistent, and the grains will also be separated nicely.  

Cook the fish

Next, heat the oil in a large skillet. Mix the spices well and sprinkle them on both sides of the fish. Then, you can add the fish to the skillet and cook it thoroughly for a few minutes. 

Before cooking fish, pat them with a paper towel to make them crispy and have a golden crust. Also, avoid cooking too many fish at a time. Overcrowding of fillets may result in getting steamed fish instead of the desired crispy pieces. Therefore, if you need to cook many fish, cook them in two or more batches. 

Caramelize the onions

The first step in making sayadieh is caramelizing the onions. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, keeping the temperature at medium-high. When the oil is hot enough, add the sliced onions. The onion will then shrink to appear as a small bunch. 

Keep the onions cooking until they look light golden brown. Then, drain the oil from the onions by removing them from the pan and transferring them to a paper towel. 

If you need to prepare the recipe faster, cut the onion into pieces using the food processor. 

Make the sauce and add rice

Once all the onions are caramelized, set aside a handful for garnishing. Put those onions into a food processor or blender. Then, mix tomato paste, spices, and a cup of water with the onions. Mix them well until they form a thick fish sayadieh sauce. 

Next, put this sayadieh sauce into the pan you previously used for caramelizing the onions. Add 3 cups of water. 

Then, add rinsed basmati rice to the sauce. Add enough water to cover the rice by about ½ an inch. If need be, add some more water. 

Let the water boil slowly for 15-20 minutes so the rice and other ingredients absorb it completely. After the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and leave it on for another 10-15 minutes without opening its lid.  

Garnish sayadieh

First, spread the rice nicely on your chosen serving platter, ensuring it is evenly layered. Then, put the cooked fish on top of the rice in the middle of the platter. You can break the filets into big chunks or keep them whole. 

Next, on the top, you can choose to top with almonds or pine nuts, a handful of caramelized onions, and plenty of chopped parsley. 

What to serve with sayadieh?

Traditionally, tahini sauce is served with sayadieh. To prepare it, squeeze lemon juice into the tahini. Then, use a fork to whisk it nicely. You can also add a little bit of water to thin the sauce.

But you can also opt for a simple green salad or something different and upscale, such as a parsley, tomato, and tahini salad. 

To prepare parsley tomato tahini salad, chop a handful of parsley, then add finely cut tomatoes and tahini dressing. You can make tahini dressing by putting 1 to 2 tablespoons of tahini, ½ lemon, a pinch of salt and pepper, cumin powder, and water in a bowl. Sprinkle this dressing on the parsley and tomatoes and mix them well. 

These are the key steps for preparing a simple sayadieh dish that suits your taste buds. However, follow each step patiently, as the preparation will take time. Make sure that the quality of the ingredients is high for better results. 

Wrapping Up 

Sayadieh is one of Middle Eastern countries' most popular fish and rice dishes. It is a simple recipe that uses fish, rice, and spices. The process involves cooking the rice and fish, making the sauce, carmalising the onions, and garnishing the preparation.