To make spice mix, using a mortar and pestle, grind rosebuds until coarsely ground. Combine with cinnamon, cardamom and cumin, and set aside.Preheat oven to 210°C. Melt 2 tbsp ghee in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and spice mix, and cook for 1 minute or until onions are starting to soften.
Add pomegranate, grape, orange and tomato juices. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute or until slightly reduced. Stir in honey and then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
Place fish in a greased baking dish and spoon over remaining 2 tbsp ghee. Season, then pour pomegranate mixture over fish. Cover with baking paper, then foil, and bake for 20 minutes or until fish is just cooked.
Scatter fish with pomegranate, rose petals, and mint, and serve with warm flatbread.
* Ab ghoreh is available from Persian food shops. It is slightly less acidic than verjuice.
* Dried rose petals and rosebuds are from selected delis and Middle Eastern food shops.
As seen in Feast Magazine, Issue 13, pg87.
Photography by John Laurie