New recipes to try and where to find the best local ingredients

Whether you’re up to trying out some new recipe inspo or wanting to select some beautiful produce, the conveniently located shopping centres, farmers markets and butchers mean it’s all accessible just a short drive from home.

Before your next grocery run, check out our top seasonal recipe recommendations to get inspired for a new weeknight crowd pleaser. Plus read our tips on where to find the freshest ingredients to bring each dish to life!

Baked Fish with Lemon Cream Sauce 

It’s no secret the freshest fish in town is caught and found right on the doorstep of Dunes Harbour Beach so why not give fresh fish centre stage by cooking it up with a warm, lemon cream sauce – perfect for the cooler nights. For this recipe by Recipetineats, we also recommend a side of roasted sweet potatoes and a side salad with spinach, avocado, sliced almonds and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients:
– White Fish fillet
– Escallot/French onion 
– Dijon Mustard 
– Garlic 
– Cream 
– Butter 
– Lemon

Top tip: The freshest local fish can be found at Debbie’s Seafood open daily and a 7-minute drive from Dunes. It’s home to a selection of high-quality fresh seafood and local catches. 

A short drive will find you the best ingredients for seasonal sides at the Mackay Farmers Market. These markets run every Wednesday from 6:30-10:30 am at the Bluewater Quay.

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
• Prepare the sauce by mixing melted butter, cream, minced garlic, Dijon mustard and lemon juice in a bowl.
• Place the fish fillets in a baking dish.
• Pour the lemon cream sauce over the fish, ensuring they are well coated.
• Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through.
• Serve immediately, spooning the creamy sauce over the fish.

Shepherd’s Pie 

As the weather gets cooler, nothing says warming up like a hearty Shepherd’s Pie. This recipe by Recipetineats is perfect for the Autumn months as both potatoes and celery are in season in the local area. Even better is that this recipe reheats well, so why not double the mixture to have extra on hand for busy nights? 

Ingredients:
– Garlic
– Onion
– Carrot
– Celery
– Assorted dried herbs
– Ground lamb (or beef)
– Flour
– Tomato paste
– Beef stock
– Red wine
– Beef bouillon cube
– Worcestershire sauce
– Fresh thyme and bay leaves
– Frozen peas
– Potatoes
– Milk
– Butter
– Grated parmesan

Top tip: Once you’ve sourced your produce, a quick drive will have you stumble across Den Elzen’s Tender Cut Meats, a community cult favourite butcher providing all your fresh meat essentials. 

Instructions:

• Boil peeled and chopped potatoes until tender. Drain, then mash with butter and milk until smooth.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Cook until softened.
• Add ground lamb (or beef) to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
• Stir in flour, tomato paste, beef stock, red wine (or water), crumbled beef bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the mixture thickens.
• Add frozen peas to the meat mixture and stir to combine.
• Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
• Drizzle melted butter over the mashed potatoes and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
• Place the dish in a preheated oven at 200°C and bake until the top is golden brown.
• Optionally, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top before serving.
  

 

Apple Crumble 

It wouldn’t be dinner without dessert! Nearly ⅓ of Australia’s sugar is produced in the Mackay/Whitsundays region so we had to include this favourite to pay homage. This apple crumble recipe is sure to have even the fussiest of eaters calling for seconds.

Ingredients:
– Apples
– Flour
– White sugar
– Brown sugar
– Lemon juice
– Water
– Ground cinnamon
– Rolled oats
– Baking powder
– Unsalted butter
– Salt

Top tip: Autumn is the best season to find apples stocked in stores and luckily Mackay CBD is a 10-minute drive for easy access to major supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles.

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• In a bowl, toss peeled and diced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Spread into a baking dish.
• In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, melted butter and a pinch of salt until crumbly.
• Sprinkle topping over apples and bake for 30–40 minutes until golden.
• Let sit for 10 minutes, then serve warm (with ice cream if you like!).

 

Check out the RecipeTin Eats website for some more inspiration on how to turn our local produce into delicious home cooked meals.