Oct 2023

Masgouf

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Masgouf (or مسقوف)

One of Baghdad's best dishes is Masgouf (مسقوف), grilled fish spiced with salt, pepper and tamarind, then placed in a metal grill and barbecued in front of an open flame on the pavement. Served with rice, cooked with tomato paste, or prepared with saffron, salad, and pickles, it is a delight.

The fish is cooked near the coals of the fire altar, a common feature shared by all Masgûf restaurants. The said "altar" typically consists of a big open-air area centred by a raised, podium-like sandbox that is either round, octagonal or sometimes rectangular and in the middle of which there's always a rather large bonfire, consisting exclusively of apricot tree logs.

Masgouf has become extremely expensive, making it a dish only for special occasions for many. In an ideal world, the fish will have been caught in the Tigris....

Picture taken by me in Baghdad in 2011

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Iraqi

Servings 6

Calories 288 kcal

Equipment

Charcoal grill

Ingredients

2.5 kg Carp or Qattan fish (fresh)
1 tsp Tamarind (paste)
1 tsp Turmeric (powder)
1 tsp Black pepper (ground)
1 tsp Rock salt (ground)

Instructions

Upon request of a customer, the fish is caught live and weighed. If agreed on, the animal is killed on the spot by a quick blow onto the forehead with a small rod
Open the belly of the fish and remove all entrails
Partially de-scaled the fish and cut in two identical halves from the belly up while leaving the back intact, opening the fish in the shape of a big symmetrical circle. Wash in fresh water.
Make a marinade by mixing the following ingredients together:
Coat the fish in the marinade.

Grill the fish

Place the fish near the coals and cook each side for 10 minutes, or until most of the fat is burned out and the outside layer is crispy.

Serve the fish

When the fish is well cooked and crispy on the outsides, it is typically laid on a big tray garnished with lime (or lemon), slices of onion and Iraqi pickles.
Serve on a big tray garnished with lime (or lemon), slices of onion and Iraqi pickles. The tray is then covered by a large crispy flatbread straight of a clay oven to keep the contents hot until served.

Keyword carp, masgouf, tamarind, tigris

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Masgouf