Linefish with tomato salsa

The warm spring weather has brought an early buzz of excitement. Pick n Pay brings us these fantastic fresh seasonal options.

We’re spoilt with fresh ingredients we can’t usually obtain during winter, and the fruit and veggies that are the cornerstone of many dishes we prepare bring an added dimension to the kitchen. It’s also time to appreciate the excellent line fish available.

Fresh linefish with New York style cherry tomato salsa

This works well with fish like dorado, freshly caught the same day you plan to serve it. Once you have cleaned and prepared the fillet, sear really quickly on a grill to seal it without drying it out or affecting the fish’s flavour or texture.

The salsa is simple and should be spooned over the fish, and served with a wedge of lemon.

Cherry tomato salsa
500g cherry tomatoes, chopped; some black olives, finely chopped; ½ cup red onion, finely chopped; a clove of garlic, finely chopped; 100ml red wine vinegar; 100ml extra virgin olive oil; ½  teaspoon salt; Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate before serving over the fresh grilled fish.

Chicken with lemon creme fraiche

Lemon sorbet
Lemon sorbet is easy to make, and a great way to cleanse your palate between courses. It’s ideal for a meal built around fresh spring ingredients!

1 lemon’s peel, finely diced; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup lemon juice; 1/2 cup carbonated mineral water

Lemon sorbet

In a saucepan, stir together the diced lemon peel, one cup water and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow syrup to cool. In a bowl, stir together the cooked lemon syrup, lemon juice and mineral water. Pour into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, freeze it in a tall canister. Freeze for 90 minutes. Remove and stir with a whisk. Return to the freezer and stir about once every hour for about 4 hours. The more you stir, the more air will be incorporated, resulting in a lighter finished product.

By Chris Black of The Aubergine and Bellevue Café. Photos Gameplan Media

All ingredients available from Pick n Pay supermarkets and hypermarkets KZN.

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