Piri Piri Prawns

Nationality: Portugal   Servings: 2  Rating: 10
Type: Starter
Source: Other [ My own ]
Event: The Bay Magazine 
Date Cooked: 2014-07-15

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Piri-Piri Oil:50ml of olive oil1/2 lemon2 or 3 Piri-Piri chillies (or a few more if you like it hot)3 cloves of garlic1 Bay LeafDried oregano Ingredients for the Prawns:600g  of wild prawns, size 20/30 or bigger, de-veined and butterflied, from a sustainable source if possibleSea salt

Method

 

Choosing:

When it comes to prawns, quality makes all the difference so it’s important to choose the right ones, and it all depends on what you are using them for:

 

#1: If you are adding plenty of sauce to your prawns, as for a curry then size and firmness of the meat will be less noticeable. In those cases you can go for responsibly-sourced farmed prawns. Feel free to go for peeled prawns, but be aware that they will have less flavour than the shell-on prawns. Fresh or frozen are both fine. These will be cheaper than the wild ones and go perfectly well in a curry-type dish.

 

#3 : However if you are simply grilling and there for not fussing around them, you will want the meat and flavour to be the best you can get, as you will be serving them with minimal cooking. In this case go for bigger prawns, like a 20/30 or above (prawns are categorized per number of prawns in each kilo), shell and heads on and wild-caught. The meat will be firmer and taste fresher which is important in simpler recipes.

 

 

Deveining:

Right, this is where a lot of confusion starts. Most people will take the heads and shells off at this point. What I can tell on the subject is, please feel free to take them off, but I will do my best to convince you otherwise. The reason why I don’t take the heads off is simply because most of the flavour is in the heads and I would hate to lose it. The reason I don’t take the shells off is because when you do so, you tend to overcook your prawns producing a dry prawn instead of a juicy prawn.

 

How to devein your prawns:

#1: Place your prawns flat on their side on a chopping board and bend them into a circle as tight as you can so their back is on the outside and their legs are on the inside.

 

#2: Grab a sharp long knife and run it along the prawns back, from the tail to the head, making a

 Parallel cut to your chopping board. Make sure to be gentle with your cutting as you don’t want to separate your prawns into two.

 

#3: Now that you made the cut along the prawns back you can slightly open the cut and look for the little black vein that runs down their backs. Grab it with two fingers and pull it out.

 

Butterflying:

Butterflying your prawns insures that the ‘piri-piri’ oil will get right in there and the prawn will grill evenly, so it’s well worth doing it.

 

Simply open the cut, de-veined prawn on your chopping board, cut side down and slightly press to flatten and open the cut up and it’s done…. Simple.

 

How to make the Piri Piri oil:

The first thing to make is your piri-piri sauce as it should rest for at least 24h.

 

Tip #1: I’ve given you the quantities necessary for this recipe but to be honest I normally make a big batch of it and then keep it in a jar in my pantry as I use it so much. If you decide to make a big batch, just multiply the quantities and when you are done put into sterilized jars. It will keep well for at least 6 months.

 

Now grab a pestle and mortar and place the garlic and the chillies in there and give them a good bash. Mix all the remaining ingredients. Leave the sauce to mature for at least 24 hours, trust me it will pay off.

 

How to make the prawns:

When it’s time to make your prawns place them in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Add the piri-piri sauce and give it a stir. Leave to rest for about 30 minutes while you start your Bbq.

 

Tip #2: Ideally you would cook them on the Bbq over some nice hot coals but if that is not an option get a heavy bottom frying pan and put it on a high heat. Once it is smoking hot, grill your prawns.

 

By now your coals should be nice and hot so get your grill and place the prawns cut side down and open over the coals. As soon as the translucent flesh underneath changes to white, turn your prawns over, brush with a little more piri-piri oil and grill until the shells are pink and very slightly char grilled.

 

Tip #2: Cooking times depend hugely on your heat and size of your prawns so it’s impossible to say. What I can tell you is that it’s crucial not to overcook prawns as they will go dry and stick to their shells. The trick is to keep a close eye on them and as soon as the flesh changes from translucent to white they are don. Overall it shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes on each side.

 

Once ready and nicely grilled move them on to a plate and serve sprinkled with lemon and a bit more Piri-Piri oil on the side for those that like it hot.

 

 

Notes

  • Caponata
  • Rissois de camarao
  • Samosas
  • stuffed squids
  • Fig and Balsamic Jam
  • Dahl
  • Sauerkraut
  • Cream, ginger and lemongrass Prawns
  • Posh Fish Goujons
  • Posh Fish Goujons
  • Piri Piri Chicken
  • French Onion Soup
  • Gaspacho or aramojo
  • Ankimo (Monkfish Liver Foie Gras)
  • Limoncello
  • Octopus Stew
  • Quince and Port Wine tart tatin
  • Chocolate foundants (petit gataux)
  • Creme Brulee
  • Tarte au citron
  • Tarte citron
  • Chocolate Truffles
  • Chocolate Truffles
  • Biscuits à la Cuillère (Ladyfingers)
  • Seafood Risotto
  • Mushroom Risotto
  • Pasta Alla Norma
  • johnansaz
  • Spinach Balls
  • Tiramisu
  • Pesto
  • Greek Yogurt cheesecake topped with Vanilla poached Figs
  • Fig , creamy Goat Cheese and Prosciutto drizzled with Honey Balsamic reduction
  • Tarte Aux Pommes
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Boquerones (biqueiroes)
  • Souvlaki (greek kebabs)
  • Crispy Peking duck in pancakes
  • Coq au Vin
  • lasagna
  • Suco de Carne (tomato meat sauce)
  • Bechamel
  • Chettinad Crab Curry
  • Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced tea)
  • Mulled Cider
  • Mulled wine
  • Pepparkakor
  • Pao de lo de alfazeirao
  • Almond paste
  • Pierre Hermé's Pistachio Paste
  • Perfect Basmati rice
  • Salmon Tartare with Black & White Sesame Tuile, Karasumi and Shiso
  • Aam Ka Achaar - Indian mango pickle
  • Cucumber Pickle Recipe
  • Pan Fried Trout with Creamy Leeks, Cockles and Bacon sauce
  • How to Cook the Perfect Steak And 2 different steak sauces
  • Piri Piri Prawns
  • Fish Baked in Salt crust
  • Double cooked Sweet Potato Chips
  • Double cooked Sweet Potato Chips
  • Roasted Bone Marrow (Os à Moelle)
  • Migas com espargos
  • Tarte de Requeijão e Papaia
  • Rick Stein's madras fish curry
  • Duo of Dark chocolate mousse infused with Pink Pepper and White Chocolate mousse with Raspberries
  • Roasted rack of Lamb and persimmon fruit seasoned with Aleppo Pepper served with minted couscous
  • Marmalade Cookery School Sun-dried Tomato Garlic and Rosemary Bread
  • Goat’s cheese and pumpkin jam parcels
  • Pomegranate Caipirinha
  • Roasted Quails with Pomegranate stuffing
  • Pomegranate Molasses
  • La Paella
  • Herring 3 ways - Kipper paté, Herring escabeche and crispy Herring Roe on Blini
  • Croissants
  • La Vera Pizza Napolitana
  • iwqraaibu
  • Filhoses (Fried sweet pastry swirls)
  • Arroz doce (Sweet rice pudding)
  • Cordeiro assado no forno (oven roasted lamb)
  • Bacalhau com broa (Corn bread salted cod)
  • The Perfect Summer Berries Cheesecake
  • Thai Roasted Duck Curry
  • Sea Beet and Ricotta Lasagne
  • Creamy Wild Garlic Soup
  • Yogurtlu Tatlisi
  • Roast Chicken Fattee (Layered dish of roasted Chicken, Tomato sauce, Toasted Pita Bread, Rice and Yougurt)
  • Roasted Aubergine, Peppers, Yogurt and Pine nuts
  • Fatayer
  • Tzatziki
  • Kofte Lamb Kebab with tomato sauce, fresh onion salad and Homemade Pita bread
  • Paynirli Sigara Boregi (Filo ”Cigars” stuffed with Feta Cheese)
  • Briwat Bil Kafta (Filo “Cigars” stuffed with Beef)
  • Zaalouk (Aubergine and Tomato Purée)
  • Jawaneh (Grilled Chicken wings with Lemon and Coriander)
  • Harina Soup
  • Quindim
  • Pao de queijo (Traditional Cheese Buns)
  • Acaraje
  • Coxinha de galinha
  • Almond Tart
  • Bife a Cafe ( Lisbon “Café style” Steak )
  • Batata a Murro (“Punched” New Potatoes)
  • Partridge with Cockles cooked in a Cataplana
  • Esparregado
  • Atum de cebolada (Algarve Pan-fried Tuna Steak with Caramelised Onions )
  • Surf & turf gumbo
  • Cuttlefish Stew Aljezur Style (Choco guisado com batata doce)
  • Lemon Sorbet
  • Pulled Pork with kale and apple slaw
  • Pork and clams
  • Overnight Roasted Pork Joint seasoned with Juniper and Rosemary
  • Sausage Tagliattele
  • Apple and Bacon Stuffed Pork Chops
  • Pork chops with Pear 3 Ways
  • Piri Piri Belly of Pork
  • Christmas Pigs in Blankets
  • Mediterranean slow roast leg of pork with wine
  • Honey roasted Pork Spare Ribs on spiced Pumpkin Mash
  • Gammon Steaks a L’orange with mashed potato
  • Braised Sausages in Cider with Bacon and Cox's apples
  • Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar mousse
  • Ambroisie (Dark Chocolate, Pistachio and Raspberry Layered Mousse Cake)
  • Ambroisie (Dark Chocolate, Pistachio and Raspberry Layered Mousse Cake)
  • Asian Style salad
  • Roasted Duck breast with Pineapple, Chilli and Soy Sauce
  • Candied Bacon Salad with Roasted Fig,Chevre and walnuts, on a bed Rocket Leaves
  • Best Chocolate Cake in the World / Concord Cake
  • Roasted Aubergine, Ricotta & Tomato Involtini
  • Pan fried Trout stuffed with sliced Shitake Mushrooms, Garlic and diced Pancetta
  • Porcini butter
  • Baked Camembert with a touch of Welsh Honey and Piri-Piri Flakes
  • Sicile (Pistachio and Blackberry Layered Mousse Cake)
  • Mocha Tower
  • fsndvhf
  • Oven roasted Quail with Herb Butter
  • mypjlbx
  • Pan Fried Trout with Creamy Leeks, Cockles and Bacon sauce
  • Crab Tian wraped in Smoked Salmon served with Chillie Tuilles
  • johnansaz
  • Crème Caramel
  • zvtefhktls
  • Lamb Medallions and Apricots seasoned with Aleppo Spice
  • johnansaz
  • Beetroot and Vodka Cured Salmon, with Sweet Dill-Mustard Sauce
  • Warm Chestnut Soup with Black Truffle shavings
  • Tarte Tatin
  • Rotolo Tricolori
  • Prawn and Mussels Ragout
  • Steak au Pauvre
  • Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Pine Nuts and Feta Cheese
  • French Onion Soup. Served with Mature Stilton on Sourdough Toast
  • Carrément Chocolat Cake
  • johnanz
  • Moti Mahal Butter Chicken
  • Forbidden Black Rice
  • Dill Coulis
  • Hoisin glazed Salmon
  • Pomme dauphenoise (Potato Gratin)
  • markus
  • Goat's Cheese Savoury Cheesecake with Red Onion Jam
  • Caldo Verde
  • Cockles in Cider, Cream and Leek sauce
  • Brésilienne
  • M'Hannacha
  • Mourish crushy Salad
  • Confit Leg of Free Range Chicken
  • Pappardelle di Nero with Piri-Piri King Prawns
  • Green Peppercorn Sauce
  • Tomato Tarte Tatin with Goat’s cheese Crème
  • ctrmapsy
  • Savarins soaked in Dark Rum served with Vanilla Creme
  • Orange Blossom Crème Brûlée
  • Monkfish Cutlet wrapped in Parma Ham on a bed of sautéed Spinach
  • Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce
  • Chicken cooked in a Creamy Beer Sauce
  • Fresh Mackerel, cooked in Pomegranate, lime Juice and Tequila
  • Chicken and Wild Mushroom Vol-au-Vent
  • Saffron and Vanilla poached Pears
  • Dark chocolate mousse
  • Lisbon Cafe style Rib Eye Steak
  • Baked Stuffed Courgette
  • Roasted Poussin “Stuffed under the skin”
  • Peruvian Prawn Ceviche
  • zjocftxsuz
  • Roasted Beetroot soup with Feta Cheese