Easter is usually about family, togetherness, love and faith. One of the ways to bring family and friends together today, is through food. Chef Innocentia Ntoagae and actress and businesswoman Sophie Ndaba share their easy Easter dishes you can make for your family.

Not everyone is into the old boring tradition pickled fish for Easter, if you want to spice up your menu and stay on top of your culinary game, chef Innocentia has your back. Better known as Cooking with Innolizer, she started her culinary journey in 2007 and she does catering for private events, conducts cooking classes and runs one of the most successful restaurants in Dobsonville, Soweto. This easter she shares one of the best sellers at her restaurant, sea food.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of rice
• Spice for rice
• Spicy rajah
• Paprika
• Cooking oil
• Tomato paste
• Coriander
• Shrimp
• Calamari
• 1 chopped onion

METHOD:

• Pour your rice inside a pot, add a tablespoon spoon of spice for rice and 4 cups of water and cook for 25 minutes. 
• In a different pan, add 20ml oil and fry 1 full chopped onion, tablespoon crushed garlic and ginger. When the onion turns brown, add a tablespoon of mild and spicy rajah, paprika and tablespoon of salt cook spices for 5 minutes then add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and chopped coriander.
• Cook for another 5 minutes and add 10ml of water then add your shrimp and calamari.
• Cook for another 10 minutes then add your rice and a bit of water depending how much rice you put in, then let it simmer and it is ready to serve.

SOPHIE NDABA'S BAKED FISH, EASTER RECIPE:

Baked fish is not only healthy, but tasty for anyone looking to prepare a great quick easter meal. Sophie tells ZiMoja that this healthy cooking alternative is not only in the baking, but in the simple ingredients you can easily find in your pantry and fridge to compliment your healthy fish.

•BAKED FISH WITH CHERRY TOMATOES, HERBS AND OLIVES.

DISH VALUES : The olives provide the fibre in the dish; Cherrie tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A and are rich in lycopene, which is great in fighting radicals that cause disease and promote better heart health. Herbs & garlic are great as they strengthen your immune system, Lemon is a great source of vitamin C. and fish the King of the dish, as it is filled with Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins D &B2. Fish is also a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc iodine, magnesium and potassium.

SERVES 4 

INGREDIENTS:

•4x Fish fillets: (MAKE SURE YOU THAW THE FISH AND PAT DRY.) You can also use whole fish but bake it longer (30 minutes).

•Fresh herbs of choice. 

•Salt and pepper to taste. 

•Spices: ground chilli & paprika (optional ).

•4x crushed garlic cloves.

•Olive oil. Tablespoon

•Vegetables: small pack of cherry tomatoes, 

1 x packet olives 

1 x chopped onion.

•Lemon juice and lemon zest : you can substitute for some lime, red or white wine vinegar.

METHOD

•Preheat oven to 200 degrees 

•Add all the ingredients except the veggies and fish to a bowl and mix them well to create a marinade 

•Softly brush marinade the fish with half the marinade 

•Add the remaining marinade into the vegetables and mix well with a spoon until they are well coated.

•Bake in the middle rack of the oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. Baking time will depend on how thick your fillets are. It can be up to 30 minutes for bigger fillets 

•Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving

•You may pair this dish with mash potatoes and for the healthier low GI option, Mashed Sweet Potato

Happy Easter !