Sydney Seafood Platter Recipes

THE SAMPLER PLATTER

Steps:

• First, combine the cornmeal, flour and salt together and mix. This is the breading mixture that will cover all the seafood items on the sampler. Put the milk in a container and have ready to dredge the seafood.
• Heat a deep-fryer or large pot with enough oil to deep fry to 350 degrees F. When ready to begin cooking, dip the fillet into the milk and then lightly hand bread using the breading mixture. Carefully slide the fillet into the oil and fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Raise the fish from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• Repeat the same procedure with the other seafood. For the shrimp, oysters, scallops and clam strips, dip each into the milk and then lightly hand bread. Use a shaker basket to remove excess breading. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the seafood from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• For the stuffed crab, carefully drop right into the deep-fryer and fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the seafood from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• To serve, place the flounder fillet, stuffed crab, shrimp, scallops, oysters and clam strips on a large plate. Then serve with desired sides.

GZ'S GRILLED SEAFOOD PLATTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Add the lobster tails to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes, then remove to the ice water and let sit until chilled. Slice in half lengthwise, cutting through the shells, and devein.
• Use 2 parallel skewers to thread 4 or 5 scallops, then repeat with the remaining scallops so you have 4 sets of double skewers. Repeat the same process with the shrimp. Thread all 4 lobster tail halves on two more skewers. Refrigerate until ready to grill.
• Stir together the butter, paprika, chili powder, habanero and garlic in a medium pot, then season with salt and pepper. Place over low heat and heat until just melted.
• Combine the capers, cilantro, mint, parsley, tarragon, thyme, chives and lemon zest in a medium bowl and mix. Add half to the melted butter and reserve the rest to garnish the platter.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray or wipe down with paper towels dipped in canola oil.
• Grill each lemon half, flesh-side down, until charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
• Place all the skewered seafood on a sheet tray and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper; drizzle with olive oil. Place on the grill and cook with the lid open, flipping once, until the scallops and shrimp are opaque in the centers and the lobster tails are just lightly charred and warmed through, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
• Remove all the grilled seafood to a large platter, then pour about half of the butter mixture over the top. Pour the remaining butter into 4 small ramekins and serve on the side for dipping. Garnish the platter with the remaining herb mixture and serve with the grilled lemon halves.

SEAFOOD PLATTER

Steps:

• Fill a large platter with crushed ice. Place the seafood and lemons artfully on top of the ice. Serve with the sauces.
• Combine all the ingredients and serve with the seafood.
• Place the shallots, vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Add the pepper and herbs and serve with the raw oysters.

BROILED FISHERMAN'S PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Split the lobster lengthwise and extract the meat. Lay the lobster meat on top of the shell. Remove the pin bones from the yellowtail flounder and cut a "v" at the top of the fish.
• Place all of the seafood in a 9-inch pie plate. Add the butter, white wine, and paprika. Bake for 12 minutes. Arrange on a serving plate and serve with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce, if desired.

SYDNEY SEAFOOD PLATTER

Steps:

• Choose a broad, shallow pan with a steaming rack that fits snugly. Be sure you also have a lid that will fit snugly over the steaming pan. Arrange the seafood on a heatproof plate that fits into the steamer. Sprinkle the seafood with salt, pepper, and any preferred seasonings. Bring the water to a boil in the steamer, set the plate of seafood on the steamer rack. Put the rack over the boiling water and cover tightly with the lid. Steam the seafood until it is cook and the shells open.
• In a small pan, saute the butter and garlic until bubbly, then transfer to a dipping bowl and place on a platter.
• Place the seafood on a platter next to the dipping sauce and garnish with some lemon slices.

SIMPLE SEAFOOD PLATTER

Steps:

• Whisk the lemon juice with the mustard, then mix into the mayonnaise with the dill. Prepare up to a day ahead and chill.
• Lay out the seafood on a platter with lemon wedges and a bowl of the mayonnaise in the middle so everyone can help themselves. Serve with plenty of fresh brown bread.

FESTIVE SEAFOOD SHARING PLATTER

Steps:

• For the pâté, blitz the trout, soft cheese, capers and mustard in a food processor, then season with salt, pepper and the lemon juice. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to two days. For the prawns, mix the soured cream, mayo, red onion, dill, lemon juice and hot sauce in a bowl, then toss in the prawns to coat. Will keep covered in the fridge for a day.
• Spoon the pâté into a small bowl and the prawns into another. Place these on a large platter with the gravadlax, smoked salmon, whole prawns, crackers, bread, blinis, lemon wedges and caperberries. Sprinkle over dill fronds, then serve.