| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 20 mins – 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 240 | 16g | 6g | 8g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 2g | 26g | 0.75g |
Why I Love South African Kingklip in Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce
There’s something enthralling about a recipe that transports you to different parts of the world, right in your kitchen. That’s what happens every time I make Kingklip in Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce, a South African culinary gem. My fascination with this recipe is multi-layered, pulling on my passion for exploring new flavors and connecting with global culinary traditions.
The Allure of Peri-Peri
I have always enjoyed flavors that have a layered complexity. Peri-Peri sauce, with its fire-red color and robust, tangy, and hot flavor, brings a certain depth to this dish that you don’t find just anywhere. It’s a staple in South African cooking, and its presence in this recipe is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of this part of the world.
A Dish That Transcends Borders
This dish reminds me greatly of Baked Halibut in a Pepper Cream Sauce, a dish that my grandmother used to prepare when I was little. It’s a different fish, of course, and the sauce is not Peri-Peri. But the principle of enveloping delicate fish fillet in a flavorful cream-based sauce is the same, triggering a sense of nostalgia while also treating taste buds to a culinary adventure.
This recipe would complement wonderfully with a side dish of spicy Jollof Rice, a dish found in many parts of West Africa, making a great combo of flavors.
Flavor Inspirations
I’ve always admired Chef Marcus Samuelsson‘s way of infusing the African diaspora’s rich flavors into his modern cooking style. His approach must have subconsciously nudged me in the direction of wanting to shed more light on African cuisine, and hence my immersion into creating this wonderful Kingklip in Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce.
The blend of rich and fiery Peri-Peri sauce with tender Kingklip fillets is deliciously exciting, and the various other ingredients only amplify this sensation. One bite of Kingklip in Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce, and you’re sure to feel an explosion of taste you’d want to experience again and again.
What You’ll Need
- 6 Kingklip fillets
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 small chilli peppers, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 cup of white wine
- 1.5 cups of heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons of Peri-Peri sauce
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for added spice (optional)
Method
Step One
Start by seasoning the Kingklip fillets on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step Two
Next, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the Kingklip fillets and cook until golden brown on both sides. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side. When cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step Three
In the same pan, add the finely chopped garlic and chilli peppers, and sauté for about a minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn. Then, stir in the paprika and let it cook for another minute.
Step Four
Pour in the cup of white wine, stirring to lift any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce by half, this usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Step Five
Now, lower the heat under the pan and stir in the heavy cream, Peri-Peri sauce, and the finely chopped fresh parsley. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens, which will take about 5 minutes. Season the sauce with additional salt, black pepper or red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
Step Six
Return the Kingklip fillets to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the fish, letting them simmer in the sauce for a further 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Just before serving, squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the top of the fillets.
Step Seven
Serve the Kingklip in Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy this spicy, creamy dish with rice, pasta, or a fresh salad.
