Our leek-wrapped masala snoek with sticky apricots recipe may not be your traditional snoek braai, but it sure could replace it! But don’t take our word for it, try it for yourself.

SERVES 6 // COOK TIME 40 min

INGREDIENTS 
For the sticky apricots
1 cup dried apricots 
¼ cup apricot jam
3 tbsp water
1 tsp grated ginger 
For the snoek 
8 leeks, cut in half andleaves separated
4 tbsp butter, softened
4 tbsp lemon juice
4 tsp garam masala
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large snoek fillets
To serve
Handful fresh coriander
Fresh garden salad 
1 lemon, cut into wedges

METHOD 
For the sticky apricots
1. Place all the ingredients in a pot and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the apricots have plumped up and the sauce has reduced. Remove from the heat and cover until needed.
For the snoek 
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and cook the leeks for 2–3 minutes, until just wilted. Transfer to a bowl of ice water, then drain and pat dry. Separate the leek leaves and lay them out on the trays, overlapping slightly, to create two large rectangles that are big enough to wrap around each snoek fillet.
3. Mix together the butter, lemon juice, garam masala and garlic. Rub all over the fish fillets.
4. Place each fillet, skin-side down, on the leeks and fold the leeks around the fish. Tuck the ends underneath to seal the parcel.
5. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until almost cooked.
6. Switch the oven to grill and slice the leeks down the middle to reveal the snoek.
7. Spoon over the sticky apricots and grill for 5 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
8. Top the snoek with coriander and serve with a fresh garden salad and lemon wedges on the side.

Feeling SASSI?

While the masala snoek recipe can be made with any firm white fish such as hake or kingklip. Just make sure you check the SASSI green list to find a sustainable fish. For more on this, check out  wwfsassi.co.za/sassi-list.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: K-Leigh Siebritz // HMimages.co.za

With winter almost here, it’s time to take out your trusty ovenproof dish and whip up a Spanish fish casserole.