There's absolutely no better time than right now to indulge in seafood of all colours, sizes and waters!!
Fish in the Family at Harris Farm Markets in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast are gearing up for a big seafood festive season. The run up to Christmas and New Year is tipped to see a high demand for all creatures from water – be it salty or still.
While Fish in the Family's PJ Mrkalj said prices weren't tipped to jump much for prawns and crustaceans this year, he said 2022 hasn't been an easy year for the seafood industry this year, with flooding being a major factor.
His tips for seafood this Christmas:
- Prawns – in all shapes and sizes will be in high demand. Cooked Tiger Prawns are perfect for a sweet tasting experience, while cooked King Prawns are the salty version, being an ocean prawn. All are in great supply.
- LOBSTER is perfect for seafood platters, with cooked local Queensland lobsters and Western Australia lobsters both great eating.
- Oysters for the festive season are always GO! The Sydney Rock Oyster taste is mildly creamy while Pacific Oysters are a saltier option
- He urged customers to consider baking a whole fish for Christmas Day lunches, dinners and platters – the Coral Trout is a great fish to bake and it looks brilliant on tables and platters, as well as New Zealand Snapper.
- For a great seafood platter, he said stick to cooked crustaceans, cooked prawns and oysters, add some smoked salmon lemon and parsley, and bread (with real butter), as well as fish pieces, and perhaps even some relishes. The cooked seafood lasts longer – and bring vibrant colour to platters – reds, greens, oranges and pink hues… like a Christmas Tree.
He said many customers were asking about, and buying, SWORDFISH this year. "We source our Swordfish via longline fishing, as wild fish. It makes for great eating, and is sliced into steak-like portions; it's a great festive season alternative to beef steak."
Harris Farm Markets has also unveiled 10 entertainer bundles ready to be styled 'n' served to guests in backyards, beaches, boardrooms and back decks everywhere. The bundles are available in store and online, or with the incredible range fo fruit and veg, cheeses and local produce on shelves at Harris Farm, shoppers are spoilt for choices and ideas to create their own Platter that matters this season!
The Seafood Cure: Do seafood differently this year, try this curated collection of cured ocean delicacies – includes Ortiz White Anchovies 110g, Harris Farm Tasmanian Smoked Salmon 100g, Harris Smokehouse Hot Smoked Ocean Trout with Capers and Pickled Onions 400g, Safcol Delicatessen Smoked Mussels in Oil 85g, The Crackery Plain Wafer Cracker, 100g Sandhurst Capers In Vinegar, 110g Bulla French Style Creme Fraiche, 200ml Fresh Fodder Taramosalata Dip, 200g Fresh Herbs Dill Bunch, Lemon Premium Each Marcels Petite Pancakes x24 200g. $75.
TIP: add local prawns, crab and crayfish from Fish in the Family at Harris Farms for more seafood pleasure!
The Entertainer: it's the ultimate solution to creating a deluxe grazing spread. Just add guests et voilà! Includes Tidbit Foods Prosciutto Di Parma 24 months Minimum Cured 100g, B-B Products Bresola Air Dried Beef 100g, Salumi Free Range Mortadella with Pepper 100g, Harris Farm Tasmanian Smoked Salmon 100g, Harris Farm South Australian Brie 200g, Black Jack Vintage Cheddar Cheese 180-250g, Arlingtons Roast Capsicum Pesto 150g, Raspberries 125g, Mango Kensington Pride Each x2, Valley Produce Co Sea Salt and Sesame Artisan Crackers 130g, The Crackery Plain Wafer Cracker 100g, Beerenberg Cheese Condiment Quince and Pear 195g, The Market Grocer Muscatels 100g, Brookfarm Entertainers Brothers Blend 75g, Maille Wholegrain Mustard 210g, Thoroughbread Sourdough Baguette 450g. $100. TIP: grab some edible flowers and sprinkle across the platter for additional OOHS and AHHs.
Aussie Charcuterie Platter: Aussie-sourced deli favourites are the star of this show. Includes a selection of premium cut meats from salame casareccio and prosciutto to a City Larger Free Range Pork and Pistachio Terrine, accompanied by creamy cheeses and mouth-watering condiments. $75. Full detail here
Pass the Tapas Platter: Inspired by the grazing tradition and bold flavours of tapas, savour this varied selection with friends (and a chilled Albariño). Includes wood smoked chorizo salami, manchego-style truffle pecorino cheese, and a selection of gourmet antipasto additions from sundried tomatoes to artichoke hearts. $85. Full detail here
The Grand Fromage Platter: Sweet baby cheeses, behold this bold and beautiful selection of cheeses, with pared back pairings to let the curds shine. TIP: wear stretchy pants. Full detail here
Bake-me Brie Platter: The easiest appetizer to wow a crowd or take to an event as a gift for your host. Simply bake the Brie in the oven for 5-7 minutes with half the berries. Add to a platter with remaining fresh berries and drizzle with Honey. (RRP $25) includes everything you need for an easy appetiser to wow the crowd made with fresh seasonal berries and of course - creamy triple brie! Then….. Brie my guest! Full detail here
Perfectly Imperfect Platter: a star of the arrange, this platter shines the light on fruit and vegetables that may not be deemed physically "perfect" but taste just as delicious, either as the fruit, or as a dip or relish. Full detail here
Vegantertainer Platter: This flavour filled and entirely plant-based platter will wow the crowd, and everyone's invited. You are welcome. (RRP $65) includes the very best plant-based has to offer from a tarty white bean dip to dairy free blue, brie and a dill chevre. Full detail here
Seize the Season Fruit Platter: Make the freshest seasonal fruit the star of the show. This is an ideal end of year celebrationary platter, perfect for picnics and office parties. $100. Full detail here
Make Mine Organic Board: beautiful organic treats and cheeses to gift or graze. $70. Full detail here
Harris Farm Markets – WEST END: West Village, 97 Boundary St
Hours: 7am to 10pm every day
Harris Farm Markets – CLAYFIELD: 823 Sandgate Rd, Clayfield
Hours: 7am to 10pm every day
Harris Farm Markets – ISLE OF CAPRI: Capri on Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
Hours: 6am to 10pm every day
The family owned and operated Harris Farm Markets is home to more than 500 lines of fruit and veg, a gourmet grocery section of boutique local products, an extensive deli, more than 400 cheeses, a butcher and fish market and bakery, pour your own milk from Queensland's multi-award-winning Maleny Dairy or Barambah Organics milk, BioSota Honey on tap and make-your-own Nut Butters among a myriad of flavour-filled treats. For 50 years they have delivering goodness to Australian families.