Here, you’ll find everything from must-have grilled prawns to beautiful whole-baked fish and gourmet lobster recipes to really impress. We’ve also put together a tasty seafood platter with easy and complementary dressings to take the guessswork out of planning it yourself. Merry Christmas!
Follow these tips to make sure you’re buying the best quality of seafood for your family.
Would you prefer Christmas barbecue or Christmas salads to accompany lunch?
How to buy fresh seafood with confidence
Fresh seafood (fish and shellfish) should always be bought from seafood markets or a reputable fishmonger.
Try to avoid supermarket seafood where possible as these are usually farmed varieties and are often less fresh than if you were buying first thing in the morning from a market.
Whole fish should have firm, not spongy, flesh with red gills; the skin should be shiny with close-fitting scales and the eyes should be clear and bright.
Fish fillets and cutlets should have moist flesh with a firm texture; there should be no signs of discolouration or dryness. Any bones should be firmly attached to the flesh.
Crustaceans and molluscs should have brightly coloured shells or flesh, and the tentacles, heads, flesh or shells should be plump, firm and intact. Shells should be closed, or should close when tapped on a bench. There should also be no discolouration of the joints.
In general, seafood should look undamaged, with moist flesh and a firm texture.
All seafood should look fresh and have a fragrant, clean “sea” smell. Any seafood that smells “fishy” is no good to eat, the same goes with any seafood that smells slightly bitter and chemical. If you find yourself offended by the powerful fish odor, choose a different piece or visit another fishmonger.
How to transport it home
Bring an esky with you! If you are not going to use eat the seafood straight away then you need to keep it chilled for the journey home.
Ask the staff at the fishmongers to give you a little ice to add to your esky or cooler bag. Or ask them to double bag your seafood with a little ice.
01
Seafood sauces
Choose from one of five mayonnaise-based sauces to pair with your favourite seafood
Our five best mayo-based sauces to pair with your favourite seafood. From traditional cocktail or tartare to Mexican or Harissa mayo and green goddess
02
Perfect barbecue prawns
Doesn’t get more quintessentially Aussie than chucking a shrimp on the barbie. Prawns cook quickly and stay succulent – serve with a squeeze of lemon
03
Soft shell crab with green onion aioli
Soft shell crab with green onion aioli
Crunchy, succulent soft shell crab pairs brilliantly with this flavoursome green onion aioli. Enjoy it as finger food with a glass of wine, or as a starter to a big dinner party.
04
Salt and pepper baby squid
Golden, crispy squid pieces are beautiful tossed with salt, pepper and flour and lightly fried. Served with fresh lime, coriander and chilli, this makes a delicious starter or light meal.
05
Seafood platter with dipping sauces
Seafood platter with dipping sauces
Showcase the jewels of the ocean at your next gathering with this magnificent seafood platter. The spicy harissa and fresh salsa verde dipping sauces provide the perfect accompaniment. Serve with chilled white wine.
06
Grilled prawns with lemongrass and lime
Grilled prawns with lemongrass and lime
Feed the family this deliciously fresh grilled prawn dish. Perfect for the weekend or an easy weeknight meal.
07
Prawn cocktail platter
Why limit the classic prawn cocktail to a tiny glass when you can have an entire platter. It’s just like the original, only bigger and better.
08
Romesco with fish skewers
This nutty and fruity capsicum-based sauce is best home made. The traditional Spanish sauce is perfect for serving with char-grilled fish skewers at your next barbecue.
09
Baked salmon with tahini sauce and tabbouleh
Baked salmon with tahini sauce and tabbouleh
These delicate, exotic Middle Eastern flavours make this luxurious baked salmon dish simply irresistible. Light, healthy & perfect for a gourmet meal
10
Lobster mornay
It’s up there with devils-on-horseback and prawn cocktail for its retro status but nevertheless, this Lobster mornay is a tasty throwback to the past.
11
Prawn and mango salad
Cover all flavour bases with sweet mango, juicy prawns and a kick of heat from chilli and mustard. A vibrant feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.
Easiest-ever roasted ocean trout
Roasting a whole side of fish is perfect for entertaining and an oily fish like ocean trout is very forgiving. If you happen to over cook it by a few minutes, it’s still moist and juicy.
13
Warm spiced prawns with avocado salsa
Warm spiced prawns with avocado salsa
This light, fresh and flavoursome dish is perfect as a starter or finger food for dinner parties.
14
Five spice squid with lime mayonnaise
Excite your dinner guests with this crunchy, succulent and delicious five-spice squid, served with zingy lime mayonnaise. It makes the perfect share-plate for your next dinner party!
15
Kingfish carpaccio with tangy dressing
Kingfish carpaccio with tangy dressing
Sliced thin and served fresh with herbs and a lime and soy dressing, this seafood dish brings tang to a party appetizer.
Barbecued ocean trout with pomegranate & radish salad
This simple grilled fish recipe, with its jewel-like topping, is perfect to feed a crowd, especially during the festive season.
17
Prawn and mango salad
Cover all flavour bases with sweet mango, juicy prawns and a kick of heat from chilli and mustard. A vibrant feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.
18
Oysters with pink & green mignonette dressings
Oysters with pink & green mignonette dressings
We’ve given this classic oyster topping a makeover with two variations on the shallot dressing – a pink and green mignonette.
19
Provençale mussels
A Gallic classic, these Provençale mussels make a sophisticated entree for any dinner party.
20
Whole snapper with pea and herb dressing
Whole snapper with pea and herb dressing
Baking a whole snapper is stunningly easy, and makes a delicious centrepiece with a side of baked kumara medallions and pea and herb dressing.
21
Cherry and ginger gravlax
There’s nothing as eye-catching as a piece of perfectly cured salmon on your dinner spread, and this modern take on the classic is sure to be a hit. You will need to begin this recipe at least 24 hours ahead.
22
Scallops with ginger and lemongrass
Scallops with ginger and lemongrass
Scallops on the half-shell always make a spectacular dish, treat your friends to something special with these delicious ginger and lemongrass scallops.
23
Ginger and lemongrass whole baked snapper
Prepare your tastebuds for a flavour explosion with this glorious ginger and lemongrass baked whole snapper. Drizzle on the sweet chilli sauce and dig in.
24
Barbecued squid salad
Deliciously fresh barbecued squid salad, this dish is perfect for spring entertaining.
25
Korean barbecued squid on skewers
Korean barbecued squid on skewers
Delicious, fresh, juicy Korean barbecued squid on skewers – a crowd pleasing dish which is perfect for your next BBQ or family gathering!
26
Prawn cocktail platter
Re-invent an old favourite with this gourmet take on the classic prawn cocktail. It’s served here on a platter with a creamy cocktail sauce to create a fresh, healthy and delicious dish that’s perfect for your next party or BBQ.
Taking inspiration from a prawn cocktail, this dish is served platter style, with a spicy kick in the sauce.
28
Lobster with fennel salad
Gather up the family and enjoy this fresh lobster with fennel salad – the perfect seafood dish for the festive season (or any time).
30
Grilled prawns with avocado cream and slaw
Grilled prawns with avocado cream and slaw
Fresh, flavoursome, and so delicious – these juicy grilled prawns with zesty avocado cream and slaw will please the entire family!
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