It’s not hard to find favourite foods on the Fraser Coast, but don’t try to pick just one!
Whether you’re thinking premium scallops, lush lychees, or tangy ginger this region has plenty to tempt.
Chef Matt Golinski knows the difference that premium produce makes to a meal and he’s found plenty of favourites that he’s happy to share.
Don’t miss the chance to take home a bottle of lychee liquor.
Matt's favourite Fraser Coast foods
Matt’s list starts with the 60 products Cecilia "CC" Diaz Paterson from CC's Kitchen at Woolooga makes a range of from the things her husband and his dad grow on their farm.
“CC has always got something new for me to try and always has a big smile on her face,” says Matt. She makes a huge range of rosella products while they're in season including sun-dried rosellas to make into tea.”
He’s also keen on lychees from John and Kerry Pool’s Lychee Divine.
“John and Kerry grow lychees from December through to February and stockpile 25 percent of their fruit to turn into liqueur, sauces, ice creams and vinegars. They have a shop on the highway just south of Maryborough where you can stop, grab an ice cream and during the season buy the best quality fresh fruit by the kilo.
“I use their lychee liqueur to make a sabayon to go with fresh strawberries and macadamia crumble. Don’t miss the chance to take a bottle home with you.”
 |
| Anthony Rehbein’s Bunda Ginga |
Another essential ingredient in Matt’s cooking is Anthony Rehbein’s Bunda Ginga.
“Anthony decided to try drying and powdering his own ginger and has created the best ground ginger you'll ever taste. He's also now doing pickled ginger and I heard a rumour that there may also be ground turmeric on the horizon.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all these guys at Relish Food and Wine Festival this year on June 4. They've all become friends of mine and are all real characters.
“I love just heading up to Hervey Bay for the weekend when I get a chance. It's such a picturesque and peaceful seaside town with a really pretty and really long esplanade for me to run along. There are some great restaurants like Dan and Steph's "EAT" and Nick Street-Brown's "Coast". It's also a quick skip over to Fraser Island from there for an explore.
 |
| Dan and Steph at Eat at Dan and Steph's. |
“One thing you mustn't miss is tucking into a sausage by the sausage king and queen Dan and Steph at Eat at Dan and Steph's. They are at every festival as well as running a busy restaurant in Hervey Bay and I always make sure I smash one every time I run into them.”
Enjoy the flavours of the Fraser Coast region in Matt’s demonstration dish for Regional Flavours this year which features CC’s Rosella Chutney.
Bendele Farm Duck Breast, Sautéed Cauliflower and Sprouts, Macadamia Tarator and Rosella Chutney
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 Bendele Farm duck breasts
1 clove garlic
50gm macadamias, roasted
30gm sourdough bread, crusts removed, soaked in water
30gm tahini
60ml extra virgin olive oil
30ml lemon juice
50ml cold water
salt and pepper
200 gm cauliflower florets
200gm Brussels sprouts, sliced 5mm thick
2tbs vegetable oil
75gm butter
½ cup sage leaves
30ml lemon juice
100gm CC’s Kitchen Tangy Rosella Chutney
Method:
- Place the garlic, macadamias, squeezed bread, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, water and salt and pepper into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Dry and salt the duck breasts and cook skin side down in a heavy based pan over a medium heat until the skin is crisp and well coloured. Turn, cook for a further 4 – 5 minutes, turn off the heat and rest.
- Sauté the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in oil until lightly coloured.
- Add the butter and cook until it starts to brown.
- Add the sage leaves and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of tarator on each of four plates and top with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
- Slice each duck breast in 3 and arrange on top.
- Dot with teaspoon amounts of CC’s Kitchen Tangy Rosella Chutney.
