Barramundi with Moroccan spices

Barramundi with Moroccan spices

Popular in Australia and the Far East, Barramundi has now come to Britain, so give it a go

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 2

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 20 mins

Plus 30 minutes marinating

Heart healthy

Good source of omega 3

Method

  1. Tip all the dressing ingredients into a food processor with a pinch of salt and blitz to a dressing. Slash the fish three times on each side, coat with half of the dressing, then set aside to marinate for about 30 mins.
  2. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Place the fish on a roasting tray, then cook in the oven for 20 mins until the flesh is firm and the eyes have turned white. Serve the fish with the rest of the dressing and steamed couscous or rice.
  3. KNOW HOW: HOW TO COOK IT: Cooking barramundi on the bone, as we have done here, has its advantages - it will stay more moist during cooking, and some would say that the flavour is enhanced, too. If you want to take out the bones they are easy to locate and less likely to be lodged in the fillet if the fish is cooked whole. Fillets can be simply pan-fried or grilled. If you like trout, you will really enjoy the flavour of barramundi, which lends itself to similar ingredients and cooking methods - citrus flavours are particularly good, as are garlic and wild mushrooms. Simply roasting the fish with some fresh herbs, olive oil and seasoning is delicious, and in the summer months you could barbecue it, too. One thing that you mustn't miss are the cheeks or 'pearls' of the fish, these are simply lovely, moist and really sweet - well worth leaving the head on for!
Try

Buying the best

As with any whole fish there are some key indicators to check when buying. Look for bright, clear eyes that are not sunken in their sockets, and check that the scales are not coming loose. The gills should be a red colour. If they look brown - or worse, grey - the fish is past its best. When buying fillets, make sure that they are firm-textured and smell fresh.

Sustainable farming in the UK

Barramundi rarely made an appearance in the UK, due to the logistics and the expense of transporting it across the globe. Now, though, there's a locally farmed alternative right on our doorstep. A successful aquaculture venture in the New Forest has been producing barramundi over the past few years, using environmentally friendly methods, and it's now available in many UK supermarkets.

A bit of background

Barramundi is an Aboriginal word meaning 'large-scaled river fish'. It's a freshwater fish, is popular due to its firm white flesh and sweet, buttery flavour.

Per serving

440 kcalories, protein 40g, carbohydrate 2g, fat 30 g, saturated fat 5g, fibre 0g, sugar 1g, salt 0.31 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, March 2008.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo Gbobs

    04 April 2008

    Gbobs commented on this recipe

    I used the whole fish they were really delicious the blend of spices and the lemon really suited the fish well. When I make it again which i will probably will use a little bit less lemon.

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  • Binder photo cherry

    02 July 2009

    cherry rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    We tried tried this marinade with pork and on chicken kebabs served with tabbouleh and tzatsiki, both of which were fabulous! DEFINITELY a winner for any mediterranean meat dish.

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  • Binder photo amanda

    21 November 2010

    amanda rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    a bit less lemon, and a bit more paprika powder, this is exactly the ingrediants used in Marocco, and the sauce is also put inside the fish.

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  • Binder photo marilyn

    26 January 2011

    marilyn rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Haven't cooked this yet but, from the recipe, I know it would be good. IF ONLY I could find barramundie. I had it in Australia and it was the best fish I have ever tasted. Not sure if farmed will be as good but will try it if I can find some. Anyone know which supermarket sells it?

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  • Binder photo hilsmale

    26 January 2011

    hilsmale commented on this recipe

    I too would love to know which supermarket sells it. I live in Scotland and it's only haddock and salmon that's plentiful here. Barramundi is a fantastic tasting fish, we had it in Australia in a local chippie. It was done on a skillet and served with chips. Best fish supper I've ever had!

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  • Binder photo Moira Martin

    28 December 2011

    Moira Martin commented on this recipe

    Beware cheap Chinese fish, labelled Barramundi. It tastes nothing like the real thing. I live in Australia and even here fresh is better than the farmed fish. Because it has such a unique delightful flavour, I prefer it just barbecued or baked without any spices. Barramundi are unique in that they are born male but become females around the age of 5years.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 2

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 20 mins

Plus 30 minutes marinating

Heart healthy

Good source of omega 3

Fish supper for two

Ingredients

  • 2 x 350g/12oz barramundi , gutted and scaled

FOR THE DRESSING

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Per serving

440 kcalories, protein 40g, carbohydrate 2g, fat 30 g, saturated fat 5g, fibre 0g, sugar 1g, salt 0.31 g

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