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Best way to cook

Braaing: The first thing to know about braaing a fish is to properly oil the grid and both sides of your fish. Braai your fish skin down at first before turning to cook the other side. For seasoning, you can use some salt and pepper with melted butter mixed with lemon juice or a little garlic or chilli.

If you’re braaing a whole fish, place the whole-fish skin side down in foil and wrap the parcel to lock in the steam. You can open it now and then and base it with a marinade as you would in the oven. Fish fillets are quicker to braai. Five minutes a side is a good rule of thumb, but the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish. It is done when it flakes easily when prodded with a fork.

Grilling: Grilling fish gives you a great advantage as you have complete control over the temperature. Always coat your fish with oil or fat to prevent sticking. As you’re heating your grill, cover the grate loosely with aluminum foil. The intense heat will cause any residue to dissolve, starting the cleaning process for you. This also minimizes sticking.

Blast the heat to 288°C. Remove the aluminum foil. Using a grill brush, scrape the grate clean. Fold a few sheets of paper towels into a small pad, dip them in oil using tongs and rub over the bars of the grate until it looks glossy.

Choose fillets that are thick and sturdy for grilling and can stand up to the intense heat of live fire. Cut your fish into portions that have an even thickness to ensure you don’t have any dry or undercooked parts. Coat your fish with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and place it skin-side down and diagonally on the grill.

This makes it easier to flip the fish as it’s lying at an angle. The fish will take 8 minutes to cook through per inch of thickness, taking about 3-5 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the grill and let it cook. When cooked properly, the meat will be firm to the touch, flake easily with a fork, and appear opaque all the way through.