Growing up, the only prawns I ever saw came out of a frozen bag once a year at Christmas. That was when my older sister used to make prawn cocktail as the starter for our Christmas dinner. She did a pretty decent effort to be fair, using ketchup and mayonnaise to create a kind of thousand island dressing. She later moved on to experimenting with prawn recipes with pasta. They were less successful.
Prawn again (and again)
Anyway, when I walk into my fishmonger now, I’m astounded, and occasionally confused, by the choice available.
Yesterday when I popped in, there were Jumbo Prawns, King Prawns, Tiger Prawns, North Atlantic Prawns and Common Prawns. But then we also have Crevettes, Red Prawns, Brown Shrimp…. So, when it comes to prawns we do have options!
Prawn recipes with pasta and other things!
I love prawns as a Tapas. Quick, easy and super delicious. There’s two great recipes in Kaye Plunkett-Hogge’s super little book, A Sherry & A Little Plate of Tapas. Grilled Prawns with garlic, preserved lemon and parsley, and Gambas al Pil Pil. Both will have you dreaming of a hot, lazy Spanish evening in seconds.
Our review of the book can be found here, or you can buy it at Amazon. It’s a great little book.
Rick Stein’s Spain also has some wonderful Tapas-style Prawn recipes, including my own favourite, Sizzling Prawns with garlic, chilli and olive oil. We’ve also reviewed this book, or you can buy it on Amazon here.
There’s plenty of other options when it comes to prawn recipes. Larger prawns are great on the barbeque. I like to marinate them in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, chilli and preserved lemon before whacking them on the heat.
Prawn recipes with pasta are always a winner (apart from when my sister makes them). And who doesn’t love a good seafood linguine?
Some of my other favourite prawn recipes can be found in Yotam Ottolenghi’ Jerusalem (Prawns, Scallops & Clams with tomato & feta), Mitch Tonks, Fish (Spaghetti with Garlic, Parsley and Fresh Prawns) and another wonderful dish in Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes (Grilled Prawns with ouzo, tomatoes, chilli and feta).
Seasonality
Most prawns are available year-round, although avoid during the spawning season of any species.
Sustainability
Read more on the latest Marine Conservation Society Good Fish Guide ratings.