Dinner: Crispy Za'atar Fish with Israeli Couscous, Swiss Chard, and Feta

Recipe by Rhoda Boone Za'atar is a pre-made spice blend of aromatic dried thyme or oregano, tart sumac, and nutty sesame seeds. Here, it flavors fish fillets served over a warm salad of wilted chard, crisp pomegranate seeds, briny olives, and salty feta.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Crispy Za'atar Fish with Israeli Couscous, Swiss Chard, and Feta

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1 cup Israeli or pearl couscous
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 (6-ounce) arctic char or striped bass fillets, preferably skin on (about 3/4-inch thick)
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 teaspoons za'atar seasoning
1 pound Swiss chard, stems cut into 1/2-inch slices, leaves roughly chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/2 lemon

Instructions

In a small saucepan, cook couscous according to package directions, seasoning it with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Once cooked, drain the couscous and transfer to a medium bowl.
While the couscous is cooking, drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over both sides of fish fillets and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Rub each side of each fillet with 1 teaspoon za'atar.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and add 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, add fish to skillet, skin-side down, and sear until skin is golden brown and crispy, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip fish and cook until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer fish to a rimmed baking sheet or plate.
Add chard stems and wine to pan; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in chard leaves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to skillet. Cover and cook until chard leaves are wilted, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Add chard mixture to bowl with couscous. Fold in pomegranate seeds, olives, feta, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Squeeze lemon half over the mixture and toss to combine; taste and adjust seasoning.
Divide couscous mixture among four plates and top with fish fillets, skin-side up.

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