Perch Baked with Sesame Seed (Samak Tahini)

Serve with Moroccan Herbed Olives, Pocket Bread or hot cooked rice for a simple Middle Eastern meal.

1 medium red onion, sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup sesame seed, toasted
1/4 cup water
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Dash of ground red pepper
Olive oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons snipped parsley
1 pound perch fillets
Parsley
Ripe olives

Cook and stir onion in 1 tablespoon oil until tender. Mix sesame seed, water, garlic, salt, lemon juice and red pepper.

Lightly brush an 8-inch square baking dish with oil; sprinkle with bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons parsley. Pat fish dry; arrange in baking dish. Pour sesame seed mixture over fish; top with onion. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F until fish flakes easily with fork, 20 to 25 minutes.

Garnish with parsley and ripe olives.

Yields 4 servings.