prawns

Garlic Lemon Prawns

Big fat prawns.

I don't see them in my market much, but when I do I usually pick them up and bring them home. Sometimes they are so big it takes two people to carry them home.

Okay, I am exaggerating there. But it is true prawns can be giant. But it's also true that there are some pretty big shrimp in this world. To further complicate things giant-sized shrimp are often labeled prawns so that they seem more special. But enormous shrimp are not really prawns. Or are they?

Well, in the U.K. what Americans call shrimp those folks call prawns. However, in the U.K. it also seems that what Americans call prawns they also call prawns. There seems to be no distinction made between species or size. They are all called prawns. Which sure makes things simpler!

Sippity Sup Continues »

Garlic Parmesan Prawns with Grilled Lemon Slices

Garlic Parmesan Prawns with grilled lemons slices
Prep time: 45
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 12 prawns left whole with shells intact
  • 0.25 c parmesan cheese, grated
  • 8 clv garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 3 T fresh lemon juice
  • 0 salt and pepper
  • 1 c olive oil
  • 24 slices of lemon in 1/4 inch thick rounds
  • 3 T rosemary leaves, minced, plus more for garnish

Directions

Wash the prawns well and put them into a shallow dish as close to one layer as possible. Then set them aside at room temperature. In the bowl of a food processor combine Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Pulse 3 or 4 times to mix. Then with the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until a thick creamy sauce is achieved. You may not need all of the oil. One a thick and slightly chunky texture is achieved mix in the rosemary by hand. Spoon about half of the Parmesan garlic sauce on top of the prawns and toss to coat well. Snuggle the lemon slices between the prawns and set the dish aside about 1/2 hour to marinate. Heat the grill or grill pan. Then shake or wipe off the excess sauce from the prawns and lemon slices. Transfer them all to the grill over white coals or onto a grill pan set over medium high heat. Grill the prawns, turning once, until they begin to change color to pinkish and are cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Pour the remaining Parmesan garlic sauce onto the bottom of a serving plate. Arrange the cooked prawns and grilled lemon slices on top. Garnish with additional rosemary leaves. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately..

Notes:

SERVES 4 Large Spot Prawns are a California delicacy, and worth tracking down. But any type prawn would do. Skewers of large shell on shrimp would be nice as well.

Grilled Prawns with Pasta au Pistou

Grilled Prawns with Pasta au Pistou
Prep time: 90
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 1 small japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 0 kosher salt
  • 0.75 c extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 2 clv garlic, minced
  • 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 2 roma or plum tomatoes roughly chopped
  • 1 q boiling water
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 bouquet garni made with 3 large basil leaves, 2 parsley sprigs, 1 thyme sprig and 1 bay leaf
  • 0 fresh ground pepper
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni or vermicelli broken into 1-inch pieces
  • 0.25 c whole lightly salted almonds, coarsely chopped
  • 2 c loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1 c loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tin anchovy fillets, packed in oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 0 salt and pepper
  • 0 zest of 1 lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 8 very large prawns, shells and heads intact, or 1 pound large shrimp

Directions

In a colander, toss the eggplant with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and let drain for 20 minutes. Rinse the eggplant well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the eggplant to the pan and let cook over medium high heat until one side browns some. Do not stir. Add the onions lower the heat, stirring occasionally, until they have become soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Add half of the zucchini and cook until they too begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes. Cover and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft, about 10 minutes. Pour the boiling water into the pot and add the drained cannelloni beans, and the pasta. Add the bouquet garni, cover and simmer gently over moderately low heat until the beans are heated through, about 5-8 minutes, long enough to cook the pasta al dente. Season the soup generously with salt and pepper. Stir in the remaining diced zucchini. Turn the heat off and remove the pan from the heat while you prepare the pistou and grilled prawns. Put the almonds, basil, parsley, anchovies and their oil, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse 6 or 8 times until just combined. I prefer a varied texture so there is no need to scrape the sides. But you may if you like. Turn the machine on and add the oil in a slow, steady stream Process until nearly smooth. Transfer the contents to a large bowl. Stir in lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Set aside 1/4 cup of the pistou for the prawns. Heat a grill to medium-high. Toss the prawns with the reserved 1/4-cup of pistou. Grill, the prawns turning once, until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side; season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, re-heat the pistou pasta and serve the prawns on top with a big dollop of pistou and lemon wedges.

Notes:

You could add extra vegetables like, carrots, celery and green beans as well as 2 more quarts of water to have a classic Soup au Pistou.