Hamsili Pilav - A Black Sea Recipe Of Oven Baked Pilaf Encased In Fresh Anchovies

Step 1

First of all, melt your butter in a saucepan on a medium heat and add your onion.

Step 2

Stir around until your onion starts to soften.

Step 3

Now add your pine nuts and stir until they start to take on a golden colour.

Step 4

Now add your rice and stir around for a 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add your lemon rind, currants, allspice, mint, salt & pepper.

Step 6

Using the same-sized cup as the one you used for your rice, add 1½ cups hot water, turn to a high heat and bring your rice mix to the boil.

Step 7

Cover and simmer for 8 minutes until the water has been absorbed.

Step 8

Remove from the heat and leave to steam for 10 minutes.

Step 9

After 10 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the rice.

Step 10

Add your lemon juice and dill then stir in.

Step 11

Preheat your oven to 180° (150° for a fan oven).

Step 12

Whilst your pilaf is steaming take an oven proof dish and grease the base and edges liberally with butter.

Step 13

Now cover the base and edges with 1 layer of your anchovy fillets with the skin side down, against the bowl. If you are using a circular or dome-shaped bowl, you can layer your anchovies in circular patterns if you like.

Step 14

Keep placing the anchovy fillets until you have no gaps.

Step 15

Give your pilaf a stir and start to place it into your anchovy casing.

Step 16

Once you reach the top of your bowl, if you have any anchovy fillets protruding, fold them all inwards towards the centre.

Step 17

Now cover the top of your rice with anchovies, too, so that your pilaf is completely encased.

Step 18

Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of your hamsili pilaf and place in the oven.

Step 19

After 20-25 minutes, remove your hamsili pilav from the oven and serve.

Step 20

If you have used a shallow oven dish, you can serve in slices as you would a pie, straight from the dish.

Step 21

If you want to present your hamsili pilav as a centrepiece, place an inverted serving plate over the top of your hamsili pilav. With one hand on top of the plate and the other under your oven dish, turn them over so that your hamsili pilaf is now upside down on your serving plate.

Step 22

Tap around the dish and then carefully remove to reveal your hamsili pilav.

Step 23

Garnish with fresh lemon slices and sprigs of dill.