Garlic and butter prawns are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick dinner or as an appetizer for a party. This dish is a classic favourite that has been enjoyed by many for years.
It is made with simple ingredients that can be found in any grocery store and can be cooked in a variety of ways to suit your taste.
Preparing the prawns is an important step in making this dish.
You should start by cleaning and deveining the prawns, which can be done by removing the head and shell and making a small incision along the back of the prawn to remove the vein.
Once the prawns are cleaned, you can marinate them in garlic, butter, and other seasonings for added flavour.
Cooking techniques and tips can vary depending on your preference.
Some people prefer to cook the prawns in a pan with butter and garlic, while others prefer to grill or bake them.
Regardless of the cooking method, it is important to cook the prawns until they are pink and opaque.
Overcooking can result in tough and rubbery prawns, while undercooking can lead to foodborne illness.
Key Takeaways
- Garlic and butter prawns are a classic and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or appetizer.
- Preparing the prawns involves cleaning and deveining them and marinating them in garlic, butter, and other seasonings.
- Cooking techniques and tips can vary, but it is important to cook the prawns until they are pink and opaque to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
Preparing the Prawns
When it comes to making garlic butter prawns, selecting the best prawns is crucial.
You want to choose fresh, high-quality prawns to ensure that your dish is flavourful and delicious. Look for prawns that are firm and have a bright, shiny appearance. Avoid prawns that look dull or have a slimy texture.
Selecting the Best Prawns
Tiger prawns and king prawns are both great options for garlic butter prawns.
These prawns are larger in size and have a sweet, delicate flavour that pairs well with the garlic butter sauce.
You can use either fresh or frozen prawns, but if you're using frozen prawns, make sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Deveining and Cleaning
Before you start cooking your prawns, you'll need to devein and clean them.
Deveining involves removing the dark vein that runs down the back of the prawn.
To do this, use a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors to make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn. Use the tip of the knife or scissors to lift out the vein and discard it.
Once you've deveined the prawns, rinse them under cold running water to remove any remaining debris.
Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Now your prawns are ready to be cooked in the garlic butter sauce.
Remember, using fresh, high-quality prawns and properly deveining and cleaning them are essential steps to creating a delicious garlic butter prawn dish.
Cooking Techniques and Tips
Mastering Garlic Butter Sauce
Garlic butter sauce is the heart of any garlic butter prawn recipe.
To make a perfect garlic butter sauce, start by melting butter in a frying pan or skillet over medium heat.
Add finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, but not browned.
To add more depth of flavour, you can also add a splash of extra virgin olive oil.
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the prawns to the pan and cook until they are pink and slightly caramelized.
To finish the sauce, add a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, black pepper, chilli flakes, and parsley to taste.
If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can also add a splash of cream or crème fraîche.
Achieving the Perfect Sear
The key to perfectly seared garlic butter prawns is to use a hot pan.
Make sure your frying pan or skillet is preheated over medium-high heat before adding the prawns.
Once the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to the pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
Add the prawns to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them.
Cook the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and caramelized.
Season with salt, black pepper, and chilli flakes to taste.
If you prefer a smoky flavour, you can also grill the prawns on a barbecue.
Simply brush the prawns with olive oil or butter and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a simple garlic butter prawns dish?
Making garlic butter prawns is a breeze and requires only a few ingredients.
Start by melting butter in a pan and adding minced garlic. Add the prawns and cook until they turn pink. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
What's the secret to a creamy garlic butter prawn sauce?
To make a creamy garlic butter prawn sauce, you need to add heavy cream to the recipe.
After cooking the prawns, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
Add heavy cream to the pan and let it simmer until it thickens. Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the prawns back into the pan and toss them in the sauce. Serve hot.
Can you share a traditional Goan-style butter garlic prawns recipe?
Certainly! Goan-style butter garlic prawns are known for their spicy and tangy flavour.
To make this dish, marinate the prawns in a mixture of red chilli powder, turmeric, garlic, and lemon juice.
Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions and green chillies. Add the marinated prawns and cook until they turn pink.
Finish by adding butter and chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice.
What ingredients are essential for a classic Chinese garlic butter prawns?
To make classic Chinese garlic butter prawns, you need prawns, butter, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar.
Melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic. Add prawns and cook until they turn pink. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar to taste. Toss the prawns in the sauce and serve hot.
What are some good pairings with garlic butter prawns for a meal?
Garlic butter prawns are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides.
Some popular options include steamed rice, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. You can also serve them as an appetizer with a dipping sauce.
How do you bring out the best flavour in prawns when cooking?
To bring out the best flavour in prawns, it is essential to cook them correctly. Avoid overcooking them as this can make them tough and rubbery.
Season the prawns with salt and pepper before cooking them. You can also marinate them in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for extra flavour.