Fish platters remain a timeless favourite for any catered event, exciting those who appreciate fresh, well-curated seafood. Angie’s seafood platters present an impressive variety of flavour and freshness, where every part of the platter is selected to enhance the natural flavours and textures of the fish.
That being said, finding the right pairings for seafood dishes can be tricky. From refreshing beverages to complimentary side dishes, there are many ways to elevate the flavour and overall mouthfeel of a seafood platter.
In this quick read, we’ll be examining ideal pairings that balance beautifully with Angie’s fish platters, helping you create an unforgettable event that guests are sure to rave about.
Sides That Stand Out With Seafood Platters
Sides do more than fill space on a plate, they offer contrast and are perfect for complementing the textures and flavours found in dishes, especially fish platters. Side dishes should never be treated as an afterthought as they can elevate fish platters exponentially.
Think about the layers and flavours needed to create the perfect combination. Angie’s fish platters have rich seafood profiles, with some of our most distinct dishes offering creamy or smoky flavours with sides that balance these elements.
Fresh Greens And A Citrus Punch
While green salads may be overlooked, here at Angie’s we incorporate vibrant mixes salads that offer sharpness and crunch. For a memorable fish platter, we recommend adding sun blushed tomatoes and watercress alongside your fish main to add a wild peppery boldness.
If these flavours sound enticing, our Sea Trout and Gremolata platters are the perfect addition to your catered event. This delectable dish is finished off with a fresh lemon squeeze and rapeseed oil, seamlessly bringing all the elements together. This side salad is subtle yet impactful on the overall platter. It refreshes with bright acidity that cuts through richer seafood or oily fish in seafood platters. Instead of drowning the flavours, it sharpens them, ensuring that every bite is as tantalising as the next.
Seasonal Vegetables, Lightly Tossed
A seasonal vegetable medley brings subtle sweetness and colour to balance fish platters. For a simple yet effective pairing, tender baby carrots offer a hint of sweetness with their natural sugars shining through. Additionally, bright peas are a great addition as they add a burst of freshness to seafood platters.
For extra flavour, toss your veggies gently in salted butter with black pepper and finish with fresh thyme. These vegetables add earthiness without distracting from the richness of your seafood platters.
Delectable Sauces To Enhance A Fish Platter
Sauces walk a thin line with fish platters. Over-saucing can drown out the natural flavours of the fish while under-saucing can affect the texture, leaving your fish fillets dry and lacking taste.
Sauces have a delicate role when paired with seafood platters. Overpowering sauces drown out fine seafood notes, but well-made sauces highlight flavour and add pleasurable contrasts. Let’s have a look at some of the best sauce pairings we recommend for uplifting your fish platters:
A Sharp Tartar: Essential Seafood Pairing
Tartar sauce should never be written off. A sharp and zesty tartar can be exactly what a seafood platter needs. When we recommend tartar, a flavourless or “traditional” mayo mix is not what we have in mind. Imagine finely diced capers exploding with a salty punch, working alongside crunchy gherkins.
Lemon juice will help to brighten the sauce from its creamy base. Use parsley to offer a herbal lift, balancing the acidity and creaminess while offering some much needed tanginess. The finished product should offer velvety smoothness in every bite, enhancing any grilled white seafood platters with creamy, tangy tartar goodness.
Punchy Lemon and Chive Aioli
Aiolis are often viewed as a very heavy and rich sauce. Here at Angie’s, we recommend blending fresh lemon juice in garlic mayonnaise with flecks of fresh chives scattered throughout. This balances the acidity and herbaceous flavours of your fish platters. Make use of garlic and egg yolk to form a creamy base, then add freshly squeezed lemon juice to give it some much needed tartiness.
Slice chives into fine threads and scatter on top. A good aioli sauce works beautifully with oily fish such as mackerel or smoked salmon by cutting through natural oils. It also adds softness to tender white fillets.
Simple Herb-Infused Olive Oil
If you’re looking for something a little simpler, a herb-infused olive oil brings subtle elegance to cold or smoked fish platters. Slowly steep rosemary stalks and chilli into fruity extra virgin oil as this will add a diffused depth without overpowering the dish with heat.
Drizzle the oil lightly over salmon or shellfish as the oil will provide aroma while capturing freshness. A well infused oil beautifully balances salads or dips and will help to elevate the texture while staying true to the dishes’ flavour profile. This simplicity honours the seafood’s strengths and makes every bite satisfactory.
Beverages To Partner With Fish Platters
Matching drinks to fish platters is all about clarity and refreshment. These pairings consider palate cleansing, complementing flavours, and setting the mood for your catered event. A good beverage ensures that every mouthful feels renewed rather than heavy, especially when paired with seafood platters.
Dry White Wine: Crispy & Refreshing
Wine aficionados can meet their match with a dry white selection partnered with one of Angie’s delectable fish platters. Pinot Grigio contains light citrus notes and mineral undertones that complements most fish dishes, be it our Pan Seared Salmon or Miso Salmon platters.
Alternatively, Sauvignon Blanc has a similarly crisp acidity but brings a sort of herbaceous freshness and subtle tropical hints of flavour. These wines are vibrant and cut through oily textures often found in most seafood platters. A lightly oaked Sauvignon will add complexity to a seafood dish that can harmonise with rich flavours and refreshing side dishes.
Sparkling Infused Water
Wine may not be everyone’s first choice for pairing with a seafood dish, especially if your guests do not drink alcohol. The simple freshness of sparkling water can easily be transformed with a slice of lemon or grapefruit. A sprig of fresh mint will also add aroma to the bubbles and deepen the taste of this carbonated classic.
Sparkling water can actually prime the palate for fresh seafood flavours. This cold, light beverage is a crowd-pleaser, suitable at any time of day or style of event, including family-friendly get-togethers. Guests are able to refresh their palates without adding too much sweetness or partaking in social drinking.
Mild Lager Or Pilsner
When a beer suits the setting, mild lagers and pilsners are highly recommended for pairing with fish platters. The low bitterness, crisp finish, and moderate carbonation help these beers work alongside richer or fried elements of seafood dishes.
Lagers and pilsners don’t overpower delicate fish platters but rather effectively cleanse palates. Their easy-drinking nature encourages conversation and relaxation during meals, suitable for informal catering or casual gatherings.
Desserts To Pair With Fish Platters
A well-chosen dessert should close off a meal perfectly. After the lightness of a fish platter, a sweet treat should reflect balance, avoiding heaviness while providing satisfaction.
Tart Lemon Posset
Lemon posset combines its creamy texture with fresh sharpness. This classic British dessert uses only three ingredients; double cream, sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The dessert should be chilled before serving. The vibrant acidity of the lemon cuts through the creaminess of this dessert and will refresh the palate by overpowering any lingering fish flavours. It effortlessly marries savoury and sweet, ending a meal lightly but memorably.
Seasonal Berries And A Hint of Cream
Berry-forward desserts are perfect for pairing with fish platters as they offer tartness and sweetness. For a simple yet equally enjoyable dessert, we recommend pairing berries with whipped cream or vanilla yoghurt. Feel free to use any type of berries which are in season for maximum flavour and freshness.
Combine your favourite berries for variety. Fruits which are at peak season create vibrant dessert pairings for any main course. Add a crowd pleaser like Angie’s Mixed Fruit Skewers for a twist. Our fruit skewers are fresh and straightforward yet equally delicious. Serving this simple dessert is the perfect way to end off your seafood dinner without leaving guests feeling overly full or heavy.
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
If you’re looking for a gentle yet elegant dessert choice, consider a vanilla bean panna cotta. The real vanilla beans infused with custard offers a heavenly aroma and mild sweetness.
Its silky texture is welcomed after indulging in Angie’s fish platters, bridging richness and lightness all in one bite. A drizzle of honey or a single mint leaf will suffice to garnish to add some extra flair.
Mastering The Art Of Flavour Pairings With Angie’s Fish Platters
When it comes to catering fish platters, every choice counts. From the side dishes you pair with each fish fillet to the beverages you serve alongside them, these elements make a significant difference in elevating the overall flavours of your seafood platters. Whether you opt for light, herbaceous seafood dishes or fseafood with umami flavours, every pairing you serve should help to enhance your main course.
Angie’s fish platters are a fantastic choice for any dinner party, especially when paired with the right accompaniments. The right sauces and glazes will deepen flavours without overpowering the natural taste of your fish platters. Your beverages, whether they be dry wines or crisp sparkling water, should refresh and cleanse the palate while your desserts provide a light but gratifying end to the meal.
By carefully planning around the flavour profiles of your seafood, you can enhance flavours and have your guests coming back for seconds. Next time you choose to serve seafood at a catered event, consider these pairings to offer your guests an unforgettable dining experience.
For high quality seafood made fresh and bursting with flavour, look no further Angie’s catering. Our dedicated team of caterers ensure that all our seafood platters are made using locally and ethically sourced fish paired with only the freshest produce. From our stunning presentation to our impeccable taste, we guarantee that our fish platters will not disappoint when it comes to satisfying the tastebuds of your attendees. View our extensive menu here or drop us a message via our online contact form to place your next fish platter order.
