Summer BBQ Series: Flinders nonna Gina Ottaway’s honey soy salmon skewers

Nonna G with some of the seafood she usually cooks for the family. Photos: Supplied.

As the weather warms in the Illawarra, Flinders resident and former MasterChef contestant Gina Ottaway loves to opt for cooking seafood on the barbecue for her family.

The woman also known as Nonna G, rose to fame when entering TV show MasterChef in 2018, where she wowed viewers and the judges with her Italian dishes.

However, she also knows her way around a barbecue.

“When the weather starts to change, we are blessed with the beautiful warm weather of the Illawarra with that salty, sweet sea air and dinner is to be had, a barbecue is a big go-to in our household,” Gina said.

“We are big seafood eaters and a barbie is the best way to enjoy it.

“Thankfully, we are so lucky to have a fantastic fishmonger, Shellharbour Square Fish Market, right here at our fingertips where anyone can get the freshest and most amazing seafood.”

And what’s on the barbecue usually?

Gina said her seafood barbecue banquet often consisted of scallops with garlic and parsley butter topped with salmon caviar and chives, king prawns with Old Bay seasoning, charred large octopus tentacles, honey soy salmon skewers, garlic lobster tails and “the most delicious smoked salmon”.

“Needless to say, our barbecue will be getting a bit of a workout this summer,” she said.

As part of our Summer BBQ Series, Gina shares one of her recipes with Region readers.

Some of the seafood part of Gina's seafood banquets.

Honey Soy Salmon Skewers

Ingredients:

• 2-3 pieces of fresh salmon (skin off)
• 3 Tablespoons runny honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Soak six to eight bamboo skewers in water for at least half an hour to prevent them burning on the barbecue.
2. Dice salmon into about one-inch pieces. Try to keep them as even as you can in size and assemble onto skewers.
3. Coat skewers with a little olive oil and place on a hot barbecue and baste with the honey soy marinade.
4. Cook for only about 30 seconds on all four sides, basting all the time.
5. Remove and give one last baste.

Enjoy!