Prawn recipes
There are many species of prawns, but tiger prawns are one of the most delicious and exotic. They can be fished in fresh and saltwater.
They have a tapering, narrow body with a curled tail and long whiskery antennae. All species have ten legs, and the body is covered in a brittle shell. They are translucent or bluish-grey when raw. The shells turn pink when cooked, and the sweet, tender flesh becomes white with a pink tint. It is important to cook the meat quickly, or the flesh will become tough. Like other types of crustacea, prawns caught in cold water tend to have more flavour than those caught in warm waters.
How to buy?
Raw or cooked fresh prawns should have a clean and fresh smell. They should also look moist. Avoid prawns with cracked or broken shells or prawns that appear dry. Buy shell-on prawns twice the weight you need. The wastage is nearly 45% and makes only 55% of each one edible.
Raw prawns are blue-grey (sometimes called green prawns).
Common prawn varieties
King prawns or Tiger prawns are larger and juicier. They are sold either whole (with shells removed) or with their heads removed. These are called prawn tails. The tail is the part of a prawn that is eaten, which is the meaty body. Prawns become pink when cooked.
Did you know that the tiny shellfish called shrimps are also called prawns? Shrimp is a term that refers to their small size. There are two types of shrimp: pink and brown. They can also be sold cooked. Because cleaning shrimps can be tedious, ready-peeled is the best choice.
You will need to peel prawns that are not shell-on. You can do this before or after cooking. However, peeling them after cooking will make the prawns more flavourful and juicier.
To butterfly an eel…
Butterflying a Prawn is as easy as a deep cut along its belly. Then gently open it and flatten it by pressing down. To make the prawns straight, remove the shell, leaving the tail at the end, and then de-vein it. Next, insert a wooden stick along its length.
Prawns, like all shellfish, can quickly go stale. Please keep them in their original packaging and in a sealed container. Consume within 24 hours after purchase.
To cook…
Stir fry for 2-6 minutes depending on the size of your dish. Grill or barbecue for 3-4 minutes per side It takes 3-10 minutes to poach, depending on the size.