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Levrek Izgarasi

I discovered it in Istanbul. I don’t believe it is traditional, but the raki—the anise-flavored spirit—is a pleasing touch. You can use other fish too.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

2 sea bass, each weighing about 1 1/2 pounds
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
2/3 cup raki
2 lemons, cut in wedges, to serve

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Slash the fish in 2 places in the thickest part on either side. Brush generously with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on an oiled grill over glowing embers, or on a piece of foil in a heatproof dish under a preheated broiler. Cook for 8 minutes on either side.

    Step 2

    Pour the raki over the fish at the table and light with a match. When the flames have died down, fillet the fish and place on 4 warmed plates.

    Step 3

    Serve with lemon wedges.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
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