Prawn Recipes to Make Your Mouth Water

Published by Temi on 20th Aug 2023

Our taste buds are treated to an unmatched thrill when we indulge in seafood, and the delicious and adaptable prawn is at the centre of this marine experience. Prawns have established themselves as a treasured item in kitchens all over the world thanks to their delicate sweetness, sensitive texture, and capacity to absorb a variety of flavours. The world of prawn recipes is as diverse as the ocean itself, promising a symphony of flavours that can fascinate even the most discriminating palette. These recipes explore the range of prawn

What are Prawns?

Prawns are a type of shellfish that belong to the larger group of crustaceans. They are closely related to shrimp and are often used interchangeably in culinary contexts, although they have some subtle differences in terms of anatomy, size, and habitat. Prawns are highly valued for their delicate flavor, tender texture, and versatility in various culinary dishes.

What do Prawns taste like?

Prawns have a distinctive and appealing flavor that is often described as sweet, delicate, and slightly briny. Prawns are known for their natural sweetness. This sweetness is more pronounced in larger prawns and becomes more noticeable when the prawns are cooked.

Prawns have a delicate taste that isn't overpowering. This makes them a versatile ingredient in various dishes, as they can take on the flavors of accompanying ingredients and seasonings.

Nutritional Value of Prawns

Prawns are a nutritious seafood option that offer a range of essential nutrients while being relatively low in calories and fat. Here's an approximate nutritional breakdown for a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked prawns:

Calories: Around 100 calories
Protein: Approximately 20-25 grams
Total Fat: Roughly 1-2 grams
Saturated Fat: Less than 1 gram
Cholesterol: Approximately 150-200 milligrams (note that prawns are relatively high in cholesterol)
Sodium: Varies, but it's generally not excessively high
Potassium: Around 200-250 milligrams
Vitamins: Prawns are a good source of various B vitamins, including vitamin B12, niacin, and riboflavin.
Minerals: Prawns provide essential minerals such as phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.

Health Benefits of Prawns

Prawns offer several health benefits due to their nutrient content and potential contributions to a balanced diet. Here are some of the health benefits associated with consuming prawns in moderation:

Rich Source of Protein: Prawns are a high-quality source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function. Protein also helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, which can aid in weight management.
Low in Calories: Prawns are relatively low in calories compared to many other protein sources, making them a great option for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
Nutrient-Rich: Prawns provide various vitamins and minerals essential for health. They are particularly high in vitamin B12, which is important for nerve function and the formation of red blood cells.
Selenium Content: Prawns are a notable source of selenium, a mineral with antioxidant properties. Selenium supports the immune system, helps protect cells from damage, and is involved in thyroid health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: While not as rich in omega-3 fatty acids as some other seafood like fatty fish, prawns still provide some omega-3s, which are beneficial for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation.
Low in Saturated Fat: Prawns are relatively low in saturated fat, the type of fat that can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels and heart disease.
Versatility: Prawns are versatile in cooking and can be prepared in various ways, which allows you to incorporate them into a variety of dishes and cuisines.
Dietary Diversity: Including prawns in your diet can provide dietary diversity, helping you meet your protein needs while enjoying different flavors and textures.
Iron Content: While prawns contain less iron than red meat, they still contribute to your overall dietary iron intake, which is important for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Low Carbohydrates: Prawns are low in carbohydrates, which can make them a suitable option for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets.

How to Cook Prawns

Prawns can be prepared in numerous ways, each bringing out their unique flavors and textures. Here are some popular cooking methods for prawns:

Sautéing: Sautéing prawns in a pan with a bit of oil or butter is a quick and simple way to cook them. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.
Grilling: Marinate prawns in your favorite marinade or seasonings, then grill them on a barbecue or stovetop grill pan until they're pink and slightly charred.
Frying: Breaded or coated prawns can be deep-fried or shallow-fried until crispy and golden brown. This method is used for dishes like prawn tempura.
Boiling: Bring a pot of water to a boil and briefly cook prawns until they turn pink and opaque, usually just a few minutes. Great for dishes like prawn cocktails.
Steaming: Steam prawns with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and herbs until they're cooked through and tender. This method retains their delicate flavor.
Stir-Frying: Quickly cook prawns with vegetables in a hot wok or skillet. Use a flavorful sauce, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, or teriyaki sauce.
Baking: Arrange prawns on a baking sheet, season with herbs and spices, and bake in the oven until they're pink and cooked through.

Prawn Recipes

How to make Thai Prawn Curry

Thai prawn curry, also known as "Tom Yum Goong" or "Gaeng Kung," is a popular and flavorful dish that combines the delicate sweetness of prawns with the aromatic spices and herbs of Thai cuisine. Here's a basic recipe for making Thai prawn curry:

Ingredients

For the curry paste:

2-3 shallots, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 red chili peppers, chopped (adjust for spiciness)
1 lemongrass stalk, sliced (use only the bottom part)
1 thumb-sized piece of galangal or ginger, sliced
1 teaspoon shrimp paste (optional)
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Zest of 1 lime
Salt

For the curry:

1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
1 cup seafood or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar or palm sugar
2 kaffir lime leaves, torn
1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
1 cup mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, snap peas, and mushrooms)
1 pound (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Lime wedges for serving
Cooked jasmine rice

Instructions

Prepare the Curry Paste: In a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind together shallots, garlic, red chili peppers, lemongrass, galangal (or ginger), shrimp paste (if using), ground coriander, ground cumin, lime zest, and a pinch of salt. Grind until you have a smooth paste.

Cook the Curry: In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the curry paste and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

Add Coconut Milk and Broth: Pour in the coconut milk and seafood or vegetable broth. Stir well to combine with the curry paste.

Season and Flavor: Add brown sugar, torn kaffir lime leaves, and fish sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. The flavors should be balanced between salty, sweet, and tangy.

Add Vegetables and Prawns: Add the mixed vegetables to the curry and let them cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.

Cook the Prawns: Add the peeled and deveined prawns to the curry. Cook until the prawns turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become tough.

Serve: Once the prawns are cooked, remove the curry from the heat. Serve the Thai prawn curry over cooked jasmine rice.

Garnish: Garnish the curry with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze lime juice over the curry before eating for an extra burst of flavor.

How to make Prawn Linguine

Prawn linguine is a delightful pasta dish that combines succulent prawns with linguine noodles and a flavorful sauce. Here's a recipe to make prawn linguine:

Ingredients

8 ounces (225g) linguine pasta
1 pound (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Prawns: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the prawns and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the prawns from the skillet and set them aside.

Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.

Deglaze with Wine (Optional): If using white wine, pour it into the skillet to deglaze the pan. Allow it to simmer for a minute or two to reduce slightly.

Add Tomatoes and Broth: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until they start to soften.

Add Cream and Lemon Juice: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to combine and thicken slightly. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon and stir to incorporate the flavors.

Combine Prawns and Linguine: Return the cooked prawns to the skillet and stir them into the sauce.

Add Linguine and Toss: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet. Use tongs to toss the linguine and prawns in the sauce until everything is well coated and heated through.

Season and Garnish: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the linguine for added freshness and color.

Serve: Divide the prawn linguine among serving plates. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately.

How to make Prawn Stir-fry

Prawn stir-fry is a quick and flavorful dish that combines succulent prawns with a variety of vegetables and aromatic sauces. Here's a simple recipe for making prawn stir-fry:

Ingredients

For the stir-fry:

1 pound (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined
Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, etc.), sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

For the sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth

For serving:

Cooked rice or noodles

Optional garnishes:

Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and chicken or vegetable broth. Set the sauce aside.

Cook the Prawns: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the prawns to the wok and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the prawns from the wok and set them aside.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same wok, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil if needed. Add the sliced vegetables and stir-fry for a few minutes until they start to soften but remain slightly crisp.

Combine Prawns and Vegetables: Return the cooked prawns to the wok with the vegetables.

Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the prawns and vegetables. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes to coat everything evenly with the sauce and heat through.

Taste and Adjust: Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning if needed with a pinch of salt, pepper, or additional sauces to your preference.

Serve: Serve the prawn stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles.

Garnish: Sprinkle sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes over the stir-fry for extra flavor and visual appeal.

How to make Prawn Risotto

Prawn risotto is a creamy and flavorful dish that combines the delicate sweetness of prawns with the rich and comforting texture of risotto. Here's a recipe to make prawn risotto:

Ingredients

1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 pound (225g) large prawns, peeled and deveined
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Broth: In a saucepan, heat the chicken or vegetable broth over low heat. Keep it warm while you prepare the risotto.

Sauté Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Toast the Rice: Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and sauté for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly toasted and coated with the oil.

Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and stir until the wine is mostly absorbed by the rice.

Cook the Risotto: Begin adding the warm broth to the rice, one ladleful at a time. Stir the rice constantly and allow the liquid to be absorbed before adding more broth. Continue this process until the rice is cooked al dente and has a creamy consistency. This usually takes about 18-20 minutes.

Add Prawns and Finish: About halfway through cooking the risotto, add the cooked prawns back to the skillet. Stir them into the rice to heat through.

Stir in Butter and Cheese: Once the rice is cooked to your desired consistency, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese until they melt into the risotto and create a creamy texture.

Season and Garnish: Taste the risotto and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and color.

How to make Creamy Prawn Pasta

Creamy prawn pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish that combines the sweetness of prawns with a rich and creamy sauce. Here's a recipe to make creamy prawn pasta:

Ingredients

8 ounces (225g) pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or your choice)
1/2 pound (225g) large prawns, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Prawns: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the prawns and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the prawns from the skillet and set them aside.

Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant.

Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to combine and thicken slightly.

Stir in Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce and creates a creamy texture.

Add Prawns and Pasta: Return the cooked prawns to the skillet and stir them into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet as well.

Toss and Season: Use tongs to toss the prawns, pasta, and sauce together until everything is well coated and heated through.

Season and Garnish: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (if using) over the pasta for added flavor and color.

Serve: Divide the creamy prawn pasta among serving plates. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to Defrost Prawns

To defrost prawns safely, it's recommended to place them in the refrigerator. Simply transfer the frozen prawns to a sealed container or a resealable plastic bag to prevent any moisture from seeping in.

Allow the prawns to thaw slowly in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This gradual defrosting process helps maintain the prawns' texture and flavor while reducing the risk of bacterial growth. Once fully thawed, make sure to cook the prawns promptly.

If you're in a hurry, you can also use the cold water method by placing the sealed prawns in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until they're fully thawed. Avoid using hot water or leaving prawns at room temperature for an extended period to prevent any potential food safety concerns.

How long does it take to cook Prawns

Fresh prawns typically take about 2-3 minutes to cook when boiled. They turn pink and opaque when done. In a stir-fry, prawns usually cook in about 3-4 minutes, depending on the size, over high heat.

In a stir-fry, prawns usually cook in about 3-4 minutes, depending on the size, over high heat.

What is the Difference between Shrimp and Prawns?

One noticeable difference is their size. Shrimp tend to be smaller, while prawns are generally larger. Prawns also have claws on three of their five pairs of legs, whereas shrimp have claws on only two pairs.

Can you eat Prawns when Pregnant?

Yes, prawns can generally be eaten during pregnancy, It's important to consume prawns that are fresh and properly cooked to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

How long do Prawns take to Defrost

The time it takes to defrost prawns depends on the method used. In the refrigerator, prawns typically take about 8-12 hours to defrost safely.

How much Protein are in Prawns?

Prawns are a good source of protein, and their protein content can vary based on their size and type. On average, cooked prawns contain approximately 20-23 grams of protein.

How long do Cooked Prawns last?

Cooked prawns can be kept in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and potential contamination.

If you want to extend their shelf life, cooked prawns can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn.

Conclusion

Prawns offer a world of culinary possibilities, enriching our dining tables with their delicate sweetness and versatility. From the exotic spices of Thai prawn curry to the comforting elegance of prawn linguine, and the crispy indulgence of prawn katsu burgers, prawns have captured the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts across cultures. As we've explored various prawn recipes, it's evident that these crustaceans have the ability to harmonize with an array of flavors and ingredients, showcasing their adaptability in both traditional and contemporary dishes. If you're looking for a place to buy prawns and other quality groceries why not try our African Grocery Store?