Paddy’s Market truly is shopaholic and foody heaven. Savvy shopping will keep your family and your bank balance healthy this holiday season all while you look like a domestic Goddess!
With summer approaching, Aussies have started spending more time outdoors. We love to share time with friends and family, eat healthy and enjoy long balmy days as they ebb into twilight.
My family finds every opportunity to spend time gardening, reading and eating alfresco.
Healthy and Thrifty Entertaining
The warm weather makes it easy to get the health benefits from eating fresh. If you, like me, have friends dropping in, staying for dinner, having a snack with drinks then a ready stash of seafood makes glamorous entertaining effortless. The good news? If you know how and where to shop, you can buy premium quality fish and seafood at bargain prices!
I will often toss some prawns in chilli and garlic and pop them on the BBQ to snack on with friends. The kids love to pick the roquette leaves from the garden to serve with the calamari or even to do a little vegie and fish slithers in tempura.
In the colder months, the heavier carbohydrates and casseroles seem to be more satisfying (I admit I do exchange swordfish for chicken occasionally). However, December sees my seafood intake skyrocket as it is elegant, easy and nourishing.
Not all Seafood is equal
I am discerning about where I source my seafood. Particularly after spending time overseas, hearing horror stories of additives used to plump up prawns and dyes used to make fish and seafood look a ‘fresher’ colour.
To me, fresh is best! If I eat frozen seafood it is usually because I have sourced it fresh, prepared it and frozen it. (check out my suggestions in my Bulk Buying article.
If you insist on excellent quality seafood there is no better place to go than the market. If you want to see what fresh, healthy fish and seafood looks like check out the produce at Paddy’s. It is straight off the boat. If you are not sure what to look for, the gorgeous fish sellers will explain everything – even a trick or two on the best cooking methods. Don’t be shy!
The Great Aussie Christmas
The Christmas seafood feast is for many Aussies the highlight of the holiday celebrations. Let me share my insider tip with you. I no longer shuffle off to the market in the wee early hours at Christmas to snap up the best of the catch.
Remember, fresh seafood can be purchased and frozen now and will still be perfect for Christmas. I prefer to do this and avoid the madness of driving on the roads Christmas Eve/Day. Seriously, my life is busy enough and I don’t need that stress!
Go to Market!
If you have not been to the markets for some time, do yourself a favour and take a leisurely stroll around Paddy’s (or your local market). It is so much fun.
The produce, meat and seafood sections are amazing and even walking a little further a field there are so many interesting stands and quirky gifts and goodies too. Check out my Kris Kringle article, here. I rarely leave without a lots of fabulous finds.
As a shopaholic, I love the interesting, unusual and well-priced items. As a greenie, I love to buy local produce. As an Aussie I love to support the local growers and also buy the best fresh! Thus why I love, love, love the market!
