Mozambican Prawns Nacional Recipe: A Taste of Africa

Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish? Look no further than the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe! This dish is a favourite in South Africa, especially at Portuguese restaurants or while on holiday in Mozambique. However, you can easily make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.

The Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It combines the flavours of Mozambique and Portugal to create a unique and delicious seafood starter or main course. With its spicy and tangy flavours, it is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Key Takeaways

• The Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe is an easy-to-make and delicious seafood dish that combines the flavours of Mozambique and Portugal.
• This dish is a favourite in South Africa and is often enjoyed at Portuguese restaurants or while on holiday in Mozambique.
• With its spicy and tangy flavours, the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Mozambican Prawns Nacional, there are a few essential ingredients that you will need to make sure you have on hand. These include:

• Prawns: This recipe calls for queen prawns, which are large, meaty prawns that are perfect for grilling or sautéing.
• Garlic: Garlic cloves add a delicious, pungent flavour to this dish. Make sure to mince them finely so that they blend in well with the other ingredients.
• Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter is used to sauté the garlic and spices, and adds a rich, creamy flavour to the dish.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat to the dish, and enhances the flavour of the prawns.
• Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is used to season the prawns and balance out the other flavours in the dish.
• Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is used to help cook the prawns, and adds a neutral flavour to the dish.
• Spices: The recipe calls for smoked paprika, which adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavour to the dish. You can also add other spices like cumin or coriander to further enhance the flavour.

Optional Additions

If you want to add some extra flavour to your Mozambican Prawns Nacional, there are a few optional ingredients that you can include:

• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can add a bright, citrusy flavour to the dish.
• Peri-Peri Sauce: If you like your food spicy, you can add some peri-peri sauce to the dish to give it a kick.
• Olive Oil: You can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil to cook the prawns if you prefer.
• Onion: Adding some finely chopped onion to the dish can add a sweet, savoury flavour.
• Parsley or Coriander: Fresh herbs like parsley or coriander can be used to garnish the dish and add some extra flavour.
• Beer: The recipe calls for Portuguese beer, but you can use any type of beer that you prefer.
• Bay Leaves: Bay leaves add a subtle, earthy flavour to the dish.
• Red Chilli: Adding some chopped red chilli can add a spicy kick to the dish.
• Cream: The recipe calls for single cream, but you can use double cream or crème fraîche if you prefer.

Remember, you can always experiment with different ingredients and substitutions to make this recipe your own. Just make sure to keep the essential ingredients in mind, and adjust the optional additions to suit your taste preferences.

Preparation and Cooking

Marinating the Prawns

To prepare the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe, you need to marinate the prawns first. This step is crucial to infuse the prawns with the flavour of the marinade. You can marinate the prawns for 1-4 hours or overnight, depending on your preference.

To make the marinade, mix lemon juice, peri-peri sauce, olive oil, salt, bay leaves, garlic, and paprika in a bowl. Add the prawns to the bowl and toss them gently to coat them evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for the desired time.

Cooking Techniques

After marinating the prawns, it's time to cook them. There are several ways to cook Mozambican Prawns Nacional, but griddling, braaiing, or simmering are the most popular methods.

To griddle the prawns, heat a griddle pan over high heat and add the marinated prawns. Cook the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and slightly charred.

To braai the prawns, heat the braai grill over medium heat and add the marinated prawns. Cook the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and slightly charred.

To simmer the prawns, heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the marinated prawns and the marinade. Simmer the prawns for 10-15 minutes until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Serving Suggestions

Mozambican Prawns Nacional can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, bread, salad, or chips. You can also serve the prawns in individual serving ramekins for an elegant presentation.

To complement the dish, you can pair it with a glass of white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. The dish has a rich flavour with a hint of paprika and peri-peri, which pairs well with a crisp and refreshing wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to making authentic Mozambican Prawns Nacional?

The secret to making authentic Mozambican Prawns Nacional is in the spices. The dish is typically made with garlic, piri-piri, lemon juice, and paprika. It's important to use fresh ingredients and to let the prawns marinate in the spices for at least an hour before cooking.

How can I adapt the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe for a barbecue?

To adapt the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe for a barbecue, simply skewer the prawns and grill them over medium heat until they are cooked through. You can also add some extra spices to the marinade to give the prawns a smoky flavour.

What are some tips for achieving the perfect flavour in a Prawn Nacional dish?

To achieve the perfect flavour in a Prawn Nacional dish, make sure to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. It's also important to let the prawns marinate in the spices for at least an hour before cooking. Finally, make sure to cook the prawns just long enough to be cooked through, but not so long that they become tough.

Can I use chicken in my Prawns Nacional, and if so, how should I incorporate it?

While chicken is not typically used in Prawn Nacional, you can certainly experiment with adding it to the dish. To incorporate chicken, simply cut it into small pieces and marinate it in the same spices as the prawns. Then, cook the chicken in a separate pan and add it to the prawns at the end.

Is there a quick and easy version of the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe for weeknights?

Yes, there is a quick and easy version of the Mozambican Prawns Nacional recipe for weeknights. Simply marinate the prawns in the spices for 30 minutes instead of an hour, and then cook them in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until they are cooked through.

What are the key differences between traditional Portuguese prawn dishes and Mozambican Prawns Nacional?

The key differences between traditional Portuguese prawn dishes and Mozambican Prawns Nacional are the spices used. While traditional Portuguese prawn dishes are typically made with garlic, lemon, and white wine, Mozambican Prawns Nacional is made with garlic, piri-piri, lemon juice, and paprika.

Additionally, Mozambican Prawns Nacional is often served with rice or French fries, while traditional Portuguese prawn dishes are often served with crusty bread.