here is fish kokoreç with zahtar |
Kokoreç with the ç making a ch sound, is actually a meat classic in Turkey.
the classic kokoreç made with intestines |
Not a standard menu item but usually found on the streets sold from little carts with everyone having their favourite usta or master! Mine, old Nazmi Bey, hangs out by the Galata Tower in Istanbul. A mouthwatering feast of flavours, kokoreç is actually goat or lamb intestines wrapped around sweetbreads and roasted over a charcoal or wood fire. It is then madly chopped and chopped again, sprinkled with thyme and red pepper before being served in a half or quarter loaf of the typical Turkish ekmek. When it’s good, it’s very good.
Now, Refika has taken this traditional idea of chopping well-seasoned ingredients including that exotic zahtar and adapted it to fish. As a dish it can be found in some of the better fish restaurants here in Istanbul – certainly not on the street – but now you can easily make it at home! The ingredients are not difficult, you don’t use a million pans and it’s ready in no time.
Spicy, tender and succulent in every way, this kokoreç is a real treat for the tastebuds!
fish kokoreç |
Ingredients for Fish Kokorech with Zahtar – Zahterli Balık Kokoreç
from Cooking New Istanbul Style by Refika Birgül
Serves 4
500g/ 1lb mezgit fileto/whiting fillets (fresh or frozen); sword fish or sole could also be used
4 cloves garlic
1 tomato
1 red bell pepper/kırmızı dolmalık biber
2 tbsp pinenuts/dolmalık fıstık
1 tbsp red pepper paste/biber salçası ( or tomato paste if the pepper paste is unavailable)
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
5 sprigs fresh thyme/taze kekik
lovely fresh thyme |
2 sprigs fresh mint/taze nane
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp zahtar/zahter
8 tbsp olive oil
10 pickled gherkins/kornişon turşu
Method
Make sure you have all your ingredients to hand.
Preparing:
· Chop the garlic cloves into 7-8 small pieces. Slice and then chop the red pepper and dice the tomato. Chop the gherkins as in the picture below:
the chopped vegetables |
· Prepare your fish if using fresh: wash and remove any bones. I used frozen mezgit and it worked perfectly. No bones to worry about and the taste was just fine.
· Wash the thyme and mint and chop.
Cooking:
· Measure the olive oil into a heavy pan and when heated, add the garlic and red bell pepper.
like this |
· Sauté for 15 secs and add the chopped tomato. Continue cooking for a further 15 secs.
· Place the fish on top of the mixture in the pan, and add the pine nuts.
the frozen mezgit, defrosted and cut into manageable pieces with the pine nuts |
· Use a wooden spatula to cook the fish on both sides, covering it with the mixture as you go. Add the pepper paste, red flaked pepper, ground black pepper, salt, thyme, mint, and soy sauce and gently combine. By now the fish will be cooked so with your spatula, break it up: it should be completely shredded.
· Finally, add the zahtar and chopped gherkins and mix well.
Afiyet olsun!
· At this point, Refika a self-confessed string cheese lover, recommends adding some string cheese/dil peyniri which will melt and provide extra taste! I didn’t do this but I think I could try.
this looks fabulous! i must give this a try!
Hello Joyce! Since you are a fearless cook, I am sure you will! x
What is zahtar?? This looks yummy!
I originally knew it from my upstairs Lebanese neighbour and then when we went to Israel, bought some in an old market. Since then, it's become very popular here in Istanbul eg you will find it on tables in restaurants in little bowls along with another of olive oil, and you dip your bread into both while waiting for your food to arrive! I expect you can find it in Middle Eastern supermarkets 🙂
Your Kokorech looks absolutely amazing, I love spiced dishes, and this one is fantastic! Looking at these pictures makes me hungry 🙂
Hi Tanja! Thanks for commenting! We loved this too….
Another new dish for me. It hasn't got to Bodrum yet. Fantastic photos again.
What a delicious dish! full of goodness and flavor. I've signed up to follow and looking forward to more:)
Mary oxo
My husband would die for 'kokorec'……he always buys it from those lil' street carts when we visit Turkey.. I've never seen fish though. When our Greek neighbour's Mom makes it they always invite my husband for kokrec…..nice photos. 😉
……have a great day!