We’re lucky enough in South Africa to be able to get plenty of great quality, delicious seafood and it’s definitely one of our favourite things to cook with. These 5 tasty seafood recipes by Chef Rudi Liebenberg and his team at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel showcase some of our favourite ways to prepare fish, from really easy prawn toast, to succulent fried fish and chips with mushy peas.

Each of these seafood recipes is easy enough to master and will become favourites when entertaining friends and feeding the family.

Tasty Seafood Recipes

 SALT BAKED SEA TROUT

Difficulty: Easy

This beautiful dish is a real showstopper and will be a talking point at any dinner table. It looks complicated, but if you ask your fishmonger to prepare the fish for you, then it’s actually really easy. Your oven and the salt crust do all the work for you.

You can create the salt crust in a rustic format, or, if you’re feeling creative, use your artistic skills and shape the salt mix in the shape of the fish. You can even go as far as making a scale pattern on top. We recommend presenting whole and breaking at the table for a little theatre.

Get the recipe for this Salt Baked Trout

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SALT AND PEPPER CALAMARI

Difficulty: easy

This recipe for Salt and Pepper Calamari makes us think of holidays by the sea. It’s a simple flavour combination but is so moreish that you best make a big pile of it as it ‘s guaranteed to disappear fast.

Order cleaned calamari from your fishmonger and be sure to get tentacles as well, as they crisp up deliciously. Serve with a homemade chilli mayo which can easily be made by adding a drizzle of your favourite chilli or peri peri sauce to homemade mayonnaise (or store bought if you’ve got that holiday feeling and don’t feel like making your own).

Get the recipe for this Salt and Pepper Calamari

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BRAAIED WHOLE SNOEK WITH APRICOT BASTING

Difficulty: Easy

This is a classic South African dish that uses a truly local fish. The apricot jam basting sauce gives the flesh of the fish a lovely sweetness and cooking it over the coals adds a smokey balance. It’s one of those dishes that just speaks to summer holidays at the coast. A real favourite and so easy to make. Buttered sweet potatoes, also cooked on the braai, make for the perfect, simple accompaniment.

Get the recipe for this Whole Braaied Apricot Jam Snoek

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PRAWN TOAST

Difficulty: Easy

Prawn toast is a really popular Chinese dim sum dish and is seriously easy to make. This version uses crispy slices of baguette that are spread with a minced prawn mix. Each toast is then coated in sesame seeds and deep fried. How could that not be delicious? Dip generously into sweet chilli sauce and serve as a starter when you’re entertaining friends.

Get the recipe for Prawn Toast

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THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS EVER

Difficulty: a little effort

Ah good ol’ fish ‘n chips, there are few dishes as satisfying as thee. No matter what the weather, fish ‘n chips is always a winner. This recipe does everything from scratch, so while it will take a bit of effort, the results are totally worth it.

Good fish ‘n chips should be crispy and golden and not oily, and the chips should be crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. In the traditional English way, fish ‘n chips is served with mushy peas and so we’ve included those too. Yum!

Get the recipe for The Best Fish and Chips

Not sure what fish to buy? See our fish buying guide for South Africa.