CAJUN PRAWNS

- METHOD -

First up, clean the prawns. Simply use small sharp scissors to cut them open along their spines, starting at the head and ending at the tail. Lift out the thin elementary tract/vein that runs from the head to tail. Rinse the prawns and pat them dry.

Melt the butter, then stir in the rest of the ingredients. Allow this spiced butter to cool. Once the butter is set, spoon a dot of it roughly the size of a pea into the slit you made in the spine of each prawn.

For prawns done in the oven: Divide the prawns between two baking sheets lined with baking parchment. Liberally dot the rest of the flavoured butter all over the prawns. Bake them in a 180 ˚C oven until cooked through ­­– who long they take depends on how large the prawns are. They are done as soon as the flesh is white and no longer slightly translucent.

For prawns done on the braai: Pack the prawns in a braai grid and place on the fire. Re-melt the flavoured butter and use a pastry brush to paint the prawns on both sides as they braai.

For prawns done on the stove top: Add all the flavoured butter to a large frying pan, add the prawns and fry over low heat. Serve them in a large bowl with all those buttery pan juices poured on top!  This recipe will serve two adults as a substantial main, or 6-8 people as part of a Christmas buffet table.

Recipe concept & photography by Lizet Hartley.

Lizet Hartley is a freelance stills and reel food stylist, food photographer and recipe developer. In her spare time she – rather predictably – cooks. Get more of her recipes on her blog at http://www.melkkos-merlot.co.za