| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 460 | 26g | 5g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 2g | 35g | 1.4g |
Why I Love South African Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli
I have a boundless love for the shores of Maine, captivated by the salty breeze of the Atlantic and the succulent seafood miracles it spoons onto our plates. But if there’s something that pitches my seafood passion into overdrive, it’s the South African delight known as Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli. This recipe married my New England experience with international flavours, resulting in an exotic lobster roll alternative that my family craves.
Finding Love in Fish Meatballs
Why fish meatballs, you may wonder? The answer, as in so many things culinary, is in the blend of simplicity and flavor. White fish fillet, garlic, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, parsley – these all knit together in a harmony that sings of the sea. The addition of lemon aioli lifts the dish to stratospheric heights, offering a hint of the crispness and freshness we often associate with the coast of South Africa.
A recipe like this also strikes a close chord in my family life. My daughters, Erin and Samantha, find seafood simply irresistible. Their gleefully delighted faces informed me that I had struck gold, and the Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli soon took a coveted spot in our meal rotation. It warms my heart every time.
The Lemon Aioli Difference
The lemon aioli is my own extra touch to this recipe, a tangy delight that infuses each meatball with impeccable zest. The blend of mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest offer a bouquet of flavours that can transport even the weariest of palates on a vacation to the coast. Salt and pepper added to taste ties it all together in a flavor-packed bow.
Masterminding such dishes requires some inspiration, and I tip my hat to Fine Cooking’s Masters who have always shared some amazing aioli recipes, including Garlic Lemon Aioli which I used as a base and built upon.
To that end, eating the Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli is not just a great meal, it’s a culinary adventure, a trip from the rocky shores of my home in Maine to the golden beaches of South Africa. And while the journey might only last as long as dinner, the memory of the taste lingers long after the last bite is eaten.
So, I invite you to try these Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli. They might not replace your lobster rolls or clam chowder, but for a brief moment, you might smell the Atlantic breeze from the other side of the world.
What You’ll Need
- For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs of white fish fillet
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- For the Lemon Aioli:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For Serving:
- 6 bread rolls
- 6 lettuce leaves
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the fish meatballs. Take your white fish fillet and process it in a food processor until it is finely chopped. Then, in a large bowl, combine the chopped fish, crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Mix everything well until combined.
Step Two
Shape the fish mixture into small meatballs, approximately the size of a golf ball. Get a large frying pan, heat it up, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot enough, add your meatballs. Make sure to cook them evenly on all sides, turning them over when necessary, until they are golden brown.
Step Three
While your meatballs are cooking, you can start preparing the lemon aioli. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season it with some salt and pepper. Mix everything well until smooth.
Step Four
Once your meatballs are cooked and your aioli is ready, you can start assembling your sandwiches. Cut your bread rolls in half, spread a generous amount of the lemon aioli on the bottom half, add a lettuce leaf, some slices of tomato, and top it off with a few of your fish meatballs. Close the sandwich with the top half of the roll.
Step Five
Repeat this process with the other bread rolls. And there you have it, Fish Meatballs with Lemon Aioli. Enjoy your meal!
