If you're looking to make a delicious and authentic Singaporean dish, prawn noodle soup is the perfect recipe to try. This dish is packed with flavour, thanks to the combination of fresh prawns, fragrant spices, and savoury broth. Plus, it's surprisingly easy to make at home, even if you're not an experienced cook.
To make prawn noodle soup, you'll need a few key ingredients, including prawns, noodles, and a variety of spices and seasonings. Once you have everything you need, the cooking process is relatively straightforward. Simply cook the prawns and noodles, then combine them with the broth and seasoning to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Whether you're looking to impress guests with your culinary skills or simply want to enjoy a hearty and flavourful meal, prawn noodle soup is a great recipe to try. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how, you can create a dish that's sure to become a favourite in your household.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Key Ingredients
When making a prawn noodle Singapore recipe, there are some key ingredients that you should have on hand. These include prawns, noodles, water, garlic, egg, sugar, pepper, salt, yellow noodle, fish cake, onion, soy sauce, pork ribs, cooking oil, fish sauce, kway teow, light soy sauce, sambal chilli, seasoning, pork lard, lime, MSG, prawn shells, spinach, fried shallots, king prawns, rice vermicelli, fish cakes, rice noodles, squid, white pepper, rock sugar, fishcake, chilli powder, sesame oil, ginger, and spring onions.
Prawns are the star of this dish, so make sure you get fresh and high-quality prawns. You can use any type of noodles, but yellow noodles, kway teow, and rice vermicelli are the most commonly used ones. Garlic and onion are used for flavouring, while soy sauce and fish sauce are used for seasoning.
Alternative Ingredients
If you cannot find some of the key ingredients, there are some alternative ingredients that you can use. For instance, if you are allergic to gluten, you can opt for gluten-free noodles such as rice noodles or bean threads. Water spinach can be substituted with spinach or any leafy green vegetable. Tamari can be used instead of soy sauce, and peanut oil can be used instead of cooking oil.
You can also substitute some of the proteins. For example, you can use chicken, ham, or tofu instead of pork ribs. Squid or fish can be used instead of prawns. If you cannot find fish cake, you can use crab sticks or omit it altogether. Chives can be substituted with spring onions, and shallot oil can be replaced with sesame oil.
Cooking Method
Preparing the Prawn Stock
To make the authentic prawn noodle soup, you need to start by preparing the prawn stock. It's the most important part of the dish and takes some time to make. First, you need to clean and devein the prawns. Keep the heads and shells aside as they will be used to make the stock.
In a pot, add the prawn heads and shells, along with some water, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for at least 3 hours to extract all the flavours. You can also add some pork bones or chicken carcass to enhance the flavour. Once done, strain the stock and discard the solids.
Blanching the Noodles and Prawns
Now, it's time to prepare the noodles and prawns. Blanch the noodles in boiling water until they are cooked but still firm. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
For the prawns, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until they turn pink. Remove them from the water and set them aside.
Assembling the Dish
To assemble the dish, heat up the prawn stock in a pot and add some soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar to taste.
In a separate pan, stir-fry some garlic and shallots until fragrant. Then, add some sliced pork belly or chicken breast and stir-fry until cooked. Add the blanched noodles and prawns to the pan and toss them with the meat.
Finally, pour the prawn stock over the noodles and garnish with some chopped spring onions, fried shallots, and sliced red chillies. Serve hot and enjoy!
Making prawn noodle soup can be a bit expensive as prawns are the main ingredient. However, you can also make easy Singapore noodles or Singapore Hokkien Mee by skipping the prawn stock and using chicken or vegetable stock instead. Double the recipe if you're cooking for a large crowd or want leftovers for the next day. Blanching and braising are the two main cooking methods used in this dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential ingredients for a traditional Singaporean prawn noodle soup?
To make a traditional Singaporean prawn noodle soup, you will need thick yellow noodles, prawns, squid, and pork slices. The broth is made using a mixture of prawn heads, pork ribs, and chicken bones, giving it a rich and flavourful taste. Other essential ingredients include garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and chilli paste.
How do you achieve the authentic taste of Singapore prawn mee at home?
To achieve the authentic taste of Singapore prawn mee at home, you need to start with a good prawn broth. Simmer prawn heads and shells for hours to extract the flavour. Use fresh ingredients, such as prawns, squid, and pork slices, and add garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and chilli paste to enhance the flavour. Don't forget the thick yellow noodles, which are a must-have in this dish.
Can you suggest a simple method for preparing dry prawn noodles?
To prepare dry prawn noodles, start by cooking the noodles according to the package instructions. In a wok, stir-fry garlic and shallots until fragrant. Add prawns, squid, and pork slices, and stir-fry until cooked. Add chilli paste, fish sauce, and a little water to make a sauce. Toss the cooked noodles in the sauce and serve with sliced chillies, lime wedges, and fresh coriander.
What's the secret to a rich and flavourful prawn broth in Singapore noodle recipes?
The secret to a rich and flavourful prawn broth in Singapore noodle recipes is to use fresh ingredients and simmer the prawn heads and shells for hours. Add pork ribs and chicken bones to the broth to enhance the flavour. Don't forget to skim off any impurities that rise to the surface of the broth. Season the broth with fish sauce, salt, and sugar to taste.
What variations can you make to the classic prawn noodle recipe to suit different dietary requirements?
To suit different dietary requirements, you can make several variations to the classic prawn noodle recipe. For a vegetarian version, omit the prawns, squid, and pork slices, and use vegetable stock instead of prawn broth. For a low-carb version, use zucchini noodles instead of thick yellow noodles. For a gluten-free version, use rice noodles instead of wheat noodles.
How does one properly garnish a bowl of Singapore prawn noodles to enhance its presentation and taste?
To garnish a bowl of Singapore prawn noodles, add sliced chillies, lime wedges, and fresh coriander. You can also add crispy pork lard, fried shallots, and sliced spring onions for extra flavour and texture. Serve the noodles with a side of chilli paste and fish sauce for dipping.