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Tsebhi Asah (Spiced Red Sea Fish and Tomato Stew)
Firm Red Sea white fish poached in a rich, deeply spiced tomato and berbere reduction scented with fragrant garlic.
The story
Originating among coastal Saho and Tigre fishing communities in Massawa and the Dahlak Archipelago, Tsebhi Asah highlights the abundance of the Red Sea. Eaten freshly caught for midday and evening meals, it bridges coastal marine produce with inland culinary traditions through the ubiquitous use of fiery berbere. A nuance unique to coastal cooks is adding a touch of dried powdered ocean fish or a splash of brine to reinforce the umami depth of fresh grouper or emperor fish as it gently poaches in the acidic tomato reduction.
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