Saramură de Pește Dunărean (Danube Delta Charred Fish in Spicy Pepper, Tomato & Garlic Brine) – Authentic Romania Recipe
Danube Delta fishermen’s specialty submerging flame-charred fish into a sizzling broth of blistered tomatoes, peppers, and garlic.
- Country of Origin
- 🇷🇴 Romania (Eastern Europe, Europe)
- Dietary Profile
- pescatarian
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 18 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Char-seared white fish fillets, Blistered tomatoes and hot/sweet peppers, Warm mămăligă polenta, Crushed garlic, Fresh lovage/parsley
Ingredients for Saramură de Pește Dunărean (Danube Delta Charred Fish in Spicy Pepper, Tomato & Garlic Brine) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) char-seared white fish fillets, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups blistered tomatoes and hot/sweet peppers, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup warm mămăligă polenta
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with crushed garlic
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Romania seasoning (fresh lovage/parsley, thyme, lemon juice)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Whisk together crushed garlic, fresh lovage/parsley, thyme, lemon juice, cooking oil, and sea salt in a bowl to form a fragrant Romania marinade.
- Coat char-seared white fish fillets and blistered tomatoes and hot/sweet peppers thoroughly in the seasoning and let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat a cast-iron grill pan or heavy skillet over high heat until smoking hot.
- Sear char-seared white fish fillets and blistered tomatoes and hot/sweet peppers for 4–5 minutes per side until blistered, charred at the edges, and cooked through.
- Transfer to a warm platter, scatter with warm mămăligă polenta, and serve immediately.