Succulent King Prawns with Butter-Garlic Olive Oil Sauté
[Seasonal Seafood Recipe] Bursting with Umami! A Special Prawn Dish
As the vibrant autumn season arrives, let’s create a special prawn dish using the king prawns that are at their peak! This recipe combines the rich flavors of garlic, butter, and olive oil, enhanced by fragrant herbs and a hint of spicy chili, resulting in an incredibly savory and delightful prawn creation. It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests. ^^
Main Ingredients
- About 20 fresh king prawns
- 1/2 onion
- About 13 cloves of fresh minced garlic
- 1 stalk green onion
- 3 small bell peppers (use various colors for visual appeal)
- 1 jalapeno (or substitute with chili pepper or bell pepper)
- 1/2 fresh lemon
Special Sauce & Seasoning
- About 1/2 cup (100ml) white wine
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- About 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
- A pinch of herb salt (for extra flavor!)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- A few dried red chili flakes (or crushed dried chilies, adjust to taste)
- A pinch of cumin powder (optional, adds an aromatic depth)
- About 1/2 cup (100ml) white wine
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- About 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
- A pinch of herb salt (for extra flavor!)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- A few dried red chili flakes (or crushed dried chilies, adjust to taste)
- A pinch of cumin powder (optional, adds an aromatic depth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all your vegetables and sauce ingredients. Cumin is optional; while it adds an exotic flair, the dish is still delicious without it. If you prefer more heat, you can use a small amount of fresh chili pepper instead of the red chili flakes. I used a leftover jalapeno, but feel free to substitute with any bell pepper or chili you have on hand. Using a variety of colored bell peppers will make the final dish look even more appealing.
Step 2
Thoroughly rinse the king prawns under cold running water. Using fresh, high-quality prawns is key to the success of this dish.
Step 3
To ensure the sauce penetrates well, leave the shells on but make a shallow cut along the back of each prawn with a knife or scissors. Then, use a skewer to carefully remove the dark intestinal vein. This step helps create a cleaner and more flavorful prawn dish.
Step 4
Finely chop the prepared onion, minced garlic, bell peppers, and green onion. Finely chopped vegetables will meld beautifully with the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine the chopped vegetables, minced garlic, and crushed red chili flakes. Season with salt, pepper, and herb salt to taste. The herb salt will elevate the prawn’s natural sweetness.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix everything thoroughly. This creates your flavorful marinade for the prawns.
Step 7
Carefully stuff the prepared marinade into the cut along the back of each prawn. Be generous to ensure the flavors infuse deeply into the prawns.
Step 8
While you can cook the prawns immediately, marinating them in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes will allow the flavors to meld further, resulting in an even more delicious dish.
Step 9
Now, it’s time to cook the prawns. Heat a pan over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. The butter will add a wonderful richness and aroma.
Step 10
Once the butter is melted, add the marinated prawns to the pan and cook over medium heat. When the prawns are about halfway cooked and start to turn pink, pour about half a cup of white wine around the edges of the pan. The wine helps to deglaze the pan and remove any potential ‘fishy’ odors while adding complexity to the sauce.
Step 11
If you prefer a saucier dish, feel free to add a little more white wine. Once the prawns are fully cooked and wonderfully fragrant, reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened. Be careful not to overcook, as prawns can become tough.
Step 12
Arrange the cooked prawns attractively on a serving plate. Garnish with two lemon slices for a touch of freshness and visual appeal. Enjoy your delicious meal!
