PRAWN STARS

A Fraser Coast Christmas without prawns on the menu would be unthinkable for most. Prawns are possibly even more "Christmassy" than the traditional roast turkey round here.

Luckily we've got some excellent quality suppliers in the Fraser Coast, and hard working fishermen and fisherwomen who risk their lives to keep our addiction supplied.

And there's no end of delicious ways to prepare your prawns, ranging from simply pouring them into a bowl and buttering some fresh bread, to sumptuous barbecue-baked extravaganzas.

Prawns are always one of the stars of the show at the annual Tastes of the Bay long lunch at the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival. In recent years Chef Andrew Mirosch has served up some incredible prawn dishes. This year it was Seared Fraser Island Tiger Prawn Cutlets with tarragon, tomato, native lime, and green peppercorn dressing served with a goat's curd sundered tomato and sage tart. And my word that was an amazing creation cooked in an outdoor kitchen for the couple of hundred lucky folks in attendance.

A few places to get the best prawns:
Urangan Fisheries retail outlet at the Great Sandy Straits Marina Urangan. Open Sat 24/12/16 (Xmas Eve) - 6.30am -5.30pm & Boxing Day 9am - 3pm. Phone 4125 2621.
The Ocean King Prawn Company. Ellengowan Street Urangan. Specialising in 5kg frozen cartons. Phone 4125 4823
Sugar Coast Seafoods 2 Comet Street, Maryborough Phone 4123 1176 
Fishermans Haul Gympie 18 Chapple St, Gympie Phone 5482 6644 
Unreel Seafood Food Truck Gympie Phone 0407 834 885
HBW Food Service 57 Hunter Street Hervey Bay Phone 4128 4144. 8kg cartons of Black Tigers & Banana prawns from $16.25 kg. 3kg carton of whole cooked Crystal Bay 16/20's $74.70 box.

Or if you're lucky enough, direct from the trawler.
Enjoy!

Mum tucking into a festive seafood paella.

Link to SBS Food's "Pacific Paella" recipe: http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/pacific-paella