Seafood Braai

Recipe Date: 3 July 2023
Serving Size: 6
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 120 Minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Measurements: Imperial (US)

Enjoy Chef Annie’s gourmet twist on a local favorite, a Cape Town classic seafood braai. 

From grilled octopus to lightly peppered fish, you will crave a taste of this Capetonian classic after seeing our two scrumptious recipes.  

Discover a simple seafood dinner idea that the whole family will enjoy. 

Ingredients

  • 2kg octopus
  • 2 cups white wine
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • salt
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 8 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast 
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 cups warm water not over 110℃
  • 5½ - 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • Flour for dusting
  • Boiling water
  • Baby leeks/spring onions
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 cups warm water not over 110℃
  • 5½ - 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • Flour for dusting
  • Boiling water
  • Baby leeks/spring onions

Directions

Grilled Octopus 

  • add 1L water, white wine, sliced lemon, thyme, celery, onion, bay leaves and peppercorns to a pot and bring to the boil.  
  • Put the octopus in a bowl, add 3 tbsp salt and massage until soapy.  
  • Rinse thoroughly, and add to the pressure cooker, pour over the court bouillon and steam for 30-40min until soft.  
  • Grill over medium heat, cut into desired pieces  
  • Serve with lemon and sprinkled with fresh herbs.  

Braai Kabeljou 

  • Light a grill, let the fish stand for 20min, pat dry with a paper towel  
  • Brush the fish generously with olive and season inside and outside with salt and pepper  
  • Stuff cavity with lemon, garlic and parsley stalks  
  • Brush the grill with olive oil. Grill the fish over moderately high heat, uncovered, for 10min until lightly charred and released easily. Turn and grill for another 10 min until flesh is white throughout.  
  • Transfer to a platter and serve.  

Simple Bread Dough 

  • Mix all ingredients into a dough (except leeks), let rise double in size. Knead down.  
  • Weigh out 50g dough balls, and wrap around the middle part of the leek. Put aside and let rest for 15min.  
  • On a medium grill, grill until bread is cooked.