It is easy to impress your guests with fresh Australian seafood – simply laying out a platter of fresh prawns and letting everyone get peeling makes for a delicious and authentically Australian Christmas meal. But if you want to take your Christmas seafood spread to the next level this year, we have five fantastic recipes for you that are perfect for summer entertaining.
Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters
Recipe here
Bloody Mary shots, paired with your choice of fresh oyster, are super fun to serve right before Christmas lunch, or to welcome guests to your gathering. If a Bloody Mary isn’t your style, a platter of oysters with a classic shallot vinaigrette, a zingy Asian dressing, or a spicy wasabi dressing is also a fantastic and decadent way to kick off the party.
Tuna Baked in Paper Parcels
Recipe here
Baking Tuna, or any other fish, in paper parcels is a fantastic and easy way to impress your guests. This dish is easy to prepare ahead of time to save you last-minute stress – just season them and wrap them up, then store in the fridge until you’re ready to put them in the oven. Then, serve the parcels still wrapped, for guests to open at the table, releasing the delicious aromas of basil, tomato, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. Crusty bread and a green salad are all you need to make this a stellar meal.
Prawns with Mango and Chilli Dipping Sauce
Recipe here
Everybody loves a prawn at Christmas, and one of the best ways to take your Christmas prawn dish to the next level is to serve it with a chilled dipping sauce. This mango and chilli dipping sauce provides the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, and a squeeze of lime tops the dish off with a summery freshness. We recommend pre-peeling your prawns (or requesting peeled prawns from your fishmonger) for this dish, to avoid the mess of everyone peeling their own.
Skewered Garfish Rolls
Recipe here
Anything on skewers makes for great entertaining food, either as an appetiser or a main course, as they’re easy to make and easy to eat. These Skewered Garfish Rolls look particularly impressive, and the same effect can be achieved with any small, long-bodied fish. Try the same method with Whiting, or even Sardines if you like a fuller flavour profile!
Whole Morwong Barbecued in Banana Leaves
Recipe here
A whole fish always makes a cheap yet impressive festive centrepiece, no matter how you prepare it. One of the best ways to cook a whole fish in summer, though, is out on the BBQ in the sunshine. Our tip for pulling this off is wrapping your chosen fish in Banana leaves… They are both decorative and functional, protecting the skin from scorching, and helping to keep the heat in so that the fish steams in its own juices, remaining moist and tasty.
