Perch Baked with Sesame Seed
(Samak Tahini)

Serve with Moroccan Herbed Olives, Pocket Bread or hot cooked rice for a simple Middle Eastern meal.

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup sesame seed, toasted
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Dash of ground red pepper
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons snipped parsley
• 1 pound perch fillets
• Parsley
• Ripe olives

Instructions

1. Cook and stir onion in 1 tablespoon oil until tender.
2. Mix sesame seed, water, garlic, salt, lemon juice and red pepper.
3. Lightly brush an 8-inch square baking dish with oil; sprinkle with bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons parsley.
4. Pat fish dry; arrange in baking dish.
5. Pour sesame seed mixture over fish; top with onion.
6. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F until fish flakes easily with fork, 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Garnish with parsley and ripe olives.

Yields 4 servings.