Monday, June 20, 2011

Berry beautiful!

Delicious Queensland raspberries grown on the Sunshine Coast should be around for the next few months. Look out for them in your local supermarket. Traditionally a summer fruit grown in southern states Queensland growers are busy supplying the winter market in Australia.

Fragrantly sweet, these delicious red gems are perfect for use in sauces, pies, cakes, muffins, drinks and desserts. They are so versatile.

A new golden variety has also recently hit the market - perfect for the food lover wanting to impress their friends with that something special and different.

Of course we also know that raspberries are incredibly good for us - low in fat, cholesterol etc..etc.. so eat up!

Chefs tips:
When choosing raspberries look for plump, evenly coloured berries.
Raspberries will keep for 1-2 days in the fridge.
Raspberries will need to be rinsed before use.

Visit www.driscolls.com/index.php to learn more about Queensland berries.

Raspberry bread and butter custard

Ingredients
3 x 15mm thick slices toast bread (crusts removed)
150ml milk
150ml cream
5 large eggs
125g castor sugar
1 vanilla bean
30g unsalted butter
50g raspberry jam
1 punnet raspberries

Method
Spread butter and raspberry jam on toast bread and scatter raspberries into mould.
Bring milk, cream and vanilla bean to the boil in a heavy based pot. Remove and cool.
Split and scrape vanilla bean into milk mixture.
Whisk sugar and eggs in a medium bowl. Add in milk mixture.
Pour over bread and rest for 5 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
Place mould into water bath and place in oven. Cook for 30 minutes until golden brown.
Remove and cool.
Cut into portions and lay on plates. Garnish with raspberries, dust with icing sugar and serve with double cream or your favourite ice-cream.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Queensland Week

Celebrate Queensland Week (4-13 June) this year by eating prawns!

The most popular prawn purchased in Australia are Kings, which are found up and down the coast of Queensland. The Eastern King Prawn is the favourite species. In South-East Queensland they are known as the Mooloolaba prawn. Other varieties include Banana Prawns, Tiger Prawns and Endeavour Prawns.

Prawns are a versatile option for lunch and dinner all year round. They are great in salads, curries and pastas. They marry well with butter, garlic, white wine, fennel and basil to name just a few herbs!

Retailers participating in the Queensland Week Promotions are Morgans, Scarborough; Samies Girl, Hamilton; Woolworths, Garden City and North Lakes; Fisheries on the Spit, Mooloolaba; Fish @ Chancellor, Chancellor Park and Woolworths, Kawana Waters.

Morrocan spiced prawns with couscous
Serves 6

Ingredients
24 green king prawn cutlets
150ml mayonnaise
1 medium chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
1 lime, juice only
12 mint leaves, finely sliced
1/2 tsp fish sauce

Mix together to combine.

Marinade
150ml vegetable oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground garam marsala
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 lime, zest only

Mix together to combine. Rub into prawn cutlets. Leave in fridge for 1-2 hours.

Cous Cous
200g couscous
1 generous pinch of saffron strands
1 tsp tumeric powder
40g dried currants
1 lime, zest and juice
1 dessertspoon of preserved lemon rind, finely chopped
18 mint leaves, finely chopped
18 coriander leaves, finely chopped
1 medium red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
200ml chicken stock or vegetable stock, boiling

Place couscous, saffron, tumeric and currants in a stainless steel bowl.

Pour hot stock over and combine well. Add lime zest and juice, lemon rind, mint, coriander, chilli. Combine. Keep warm.
Remove prawn cutlets from marinade and pat dry.
Sear on a hot barbeque or preheated frypan for 40 seconds each side.
Remove and let rest.
Give prawns a generous slurp of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
Divide couscous evenly between 6 plates and place cutlets around it.
Serve with mayonnaise on the side.

To learn more about Queensland prawns visit http://www.queenslandprawns.com/
Find out what's on this Queensland week at www.premiers.qld.gov.au/events/queensland-week.aspx
Lunch on Q is back for the final time in 2011 so don’t miss the chance to taste the best seasonal Queensland produce accompanied by local wine. http://www.foodandwineonq.com/lunch.html