Live Prawn Singapore Recipe: A Delicious Seafood Experience

If you're a fan of seafood, you're in for a treat with this live prawn Singapore recipe. Singapore is known for its delicious seafood dishes, and this recipe is no exception. The dish is made with live prawns, which are cooked in a spicy and flavourful sauce that is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

To start, you'll need to select and prepare your prawns. It's important to choose live prawns that are fresh and healthy. Once you have your prawns, you'll need to clean them thoroughly and remove any dirt or debris. Then, you can start cooking the dish.

This live prawn Singapore recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in just a few simple steps. The prawns are cooked in a spicy sauce that is made with chillies, garlic, ginger, soybean paste, sugar, and tomato ketchup. The end result is a dish that is bursting with flavour and is sure to impress your family and friends.

Key Takeaways

• Select fresh and healthy live prawns for this recipe.
• Clean the prawns thoroughly before cooking.
• Cook the prawns in a spicy sauce made with chillies, garlic, ginger, soybean paste, sugar, and tomato ketchup.

Selecting and Preparing the Prawns

When it comes to making a delicious live prawn Singapore recipe, selecting and preparing the prawns is an important first step to ensure that your dish turns out perfect. Here are some tips to help you choose and prepare the best prawns for your dish.

Choosing Fresh Prawns

Choosing fresh prawns is crucial to ensure that your dish has the best flavour and texture. Here are some things to look for when selecting fresh prawns:

• Look for prawns that are firm and shiny with a slightly translucent shell.
• Choose prawns that have a fresh, ocean-like smell. Avoid prawns that have a strong, fishy smell.
• If possible, choose prawns that have been kept on ice or in a refrigerated display.

Cleaning and Deveining

Once you have selected your prawns, it is important to clean and devein them before cooking. Here is how to do it:

1. Hold the prawn by the tail and twist off the head. Some people prefer to keep the head on for added flavour, but it is up to personal preference.
2. Peel off the shell, starting from the head end and working towards the tail. Leave the last segment of the shell and the tail intact.
3. Use a small knife to make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn, exposing the dark vein.
4. Use the tip of the knife or a toothpick to carefully remove the vein.
5. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your prawns are clean and ready to be cooked. Now that you have prepared your prawns, it's time to move on to the next step in creating your delicious live prawn Singapore recipe.

Cooking the Dish

Ingredients and Substitutes

To cook the live prawn Singapore recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 12 large tiger prawns
• 1 cup roughly chopped mild red chillies
• 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 2 red Asian shallots, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• ¼ cup tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp soybean paste
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

If you cannot find tiger prawns, you can substitute them with other types of prawns or shrimp. Similarly, you can adjust the amount of red chillies, garlic, and ginger according to your taste preference.

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

1. Clean and devein the tiger prawns. Keep the heads and tails intact but peel the bodies. Set aside.
2. In a wok or large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chopped garlic, shallots, and ginger. Stir-fry for a minute until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped red chillies and stir-fry for another minute.
5. Add the tomato ketchup, soybean paste, sugar, and sea salt. Stir well to combine.
6. Add the tiger prawns to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through.
7. Thicken the sauce by mixing 1 tablespoon of corn flour with 1 cup of chicken stock. Add the mixture to the wok and stir well until the sauce thickens.
8. Remove the wok from the heat and garnish with thinly sliced spring onions and coriander.

Serving Suggestions

The live prawn Singapore recipe is best served hot with steamed rice or yellow noodles. You can also garnish the dish with a sprinkle of chilli powder and a wedge of lime. For a complete meal, you can serve the dish with a side of stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli or bok choy. To enhance the flavour, you can also add a splash of fish sauce or shaoxing wine to the sauce. Enjoy your delicious and authentic Singaporean dish!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to steam live prawns in Singaporean style?

Steaming live prawns is a popular method of cooking them in Singaporean cuisine. To steam them in the Singaporean style, you will need to marinate the prawns in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Then, steam them for about 5-7 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through. Serve them with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, lime juice, and chili.

Can you share a simple drunken prawn recipe?

Drunken prawns are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is popular in Singapore. To make it, you will need to marinate the prawns in a mixture of Shaoxing wine, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Then, stir-fry them with some vegetables like bell peppers and onions, and serve them over steamed rice.

How do I prepare fresh live prawns for cooking?

Preparing fresh live prawns for cooking is easy. First, remove the head and shell from the prawns. Then, devein them by making a small incision along the back of the prawn and removing the dark vein. Rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

What's the secret to a flavourful Singapore-style prawn dish?

The secret to a flavourful Singapore-style prawn dish is in the marinade. Most Singaporean-style prawn dishes use a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to marinate the prawns. This gives them a rich, savoury flavour that complements the sweetness of the prawns.

Is there a difference between cooking prawns and shrimp in Singaporean recipes?

In Singaporean cuisine, the terms "prawns" and "shrimp" are often used interchangeably, and there is no significant difference in how they are cooked.

How can I make a prawn dish that's got a bit of a kick, like Gordon Ramsay's?

To make a prawn dish that's got a bit of a kick, you can add some chili flakes or chopped fresh chili to your marinade. You can also use a spicy dipping sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper over the cooked prawns. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much spice can overpower the delicate flavour of the prawns.