Braaied Fish (South African Grilled Fish)

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 large (approx. 1.5-2 kg / 3-4 lbs) Whole fish (e.g., snapper, sea bass, bream)(Ensure it's scaled and gutted. Ask your fishmonger to butterfly it for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.)
• 2 Lemons(1 for juice, 1 for slicing and serving.)
• 100g (approx. 7 tablespoons) Unsalted butter(Room temperature for easier mixing.)
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives)(A mix is nice, or use your favorite.)
• to taste Salt
• freshly ground, to taste Black pepper
• 1-2 tablespoons Olive oil(For greasing the braai grid.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the fish: Rinse the butterflied fish inside and out under cold water and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a crispier skin. Make a few shallow diagonal cuts on both sides of the thickest part of the fish (about 1-2 cm deep). Season the cavity and the cuts generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes
2. 2

   Make the lemon butter baste: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, the juice of 1 lemon, and the finely chopped fresh herbs. Mix well until smooth. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
3. 3

   Prepare the braai: Preheat your braai (grill) to medium-high heat. Aim for a temperature where you can hold your hand about 10 cm (4 inches) above the grid for only 3-4 seconds. If using charcoal, you want glowing embers with no active flames. Clean the braai grid thoroughly and grease it generously with olive oil to prevent the fish from sticking.

4. 4

   Grill the fish: Place the butterflied fish, skin-side down first, onto the hot, greased braai grid. Grill for approximately 7-12 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish and the heat of your braai. The fish is cooked when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. You'll see the skin become golden brown and slightly charred in places.

   ⏱️ 15-25 minutes
5. 5

   Baste and finish: During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, generously brush the fish with the prepared lemon-butter mixture on both sides. This adds moisture and flavor. Ensure the fish is cooked through but not dry.

   ⏱️ 5-10 minutes (included in cook time)
6. 6

   Serve: Carefully remove the fish from the braai using a wide spatula or fish slice. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges and extra fresh herbs if desired.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓Don't overcook the fish; it will become dry and tough. Aim for moist, flaky flesh.
• ✓Basting frequently during the last half of cooking infuses flavor and keeps the fish moist.
• ✓Using the freshest fish possible will yield the best results. Look for clear eyes and firm flesh.
• ✓If your braai is very hot, you can cook the fish slightly further away from the coals/heat source.
• ✓Ensure the braai grid is well-oiled to prevent the delicate fish skin from sticking.

🔄 Variations

• Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of peri-peri sauce to the lemon butter for a spicy kick.
• Mix minced garlic (1-2 cloves) into the lemon butter for a garlicky flavor.
• Stuff the cavity with thin slices of lemon and extra herbs before grilling.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving