Andy Montoya
Butter cheese prawns are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. The key ingredients include prawns, butter, garlic, and cheese, with optional additions like curry leaves, chili, milk, and chicken bouillon cube. The process involves cleaning and preparing the prawns, frying them, and then creating a flavorful sauce by heating butter, garlic, and other spices. The prawns are then coated in this mouth-watering sauce and served with steamed jasmine rice or crusty bread. This dish is perfect for a summer meal or a dinner party, offering a balance of simplicity and mouth-watering flavors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Prawns, butter, garlic, cheese, oil, lime/lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, red chilli, parsley, milk, corn starch, onion, shallots, coriander |
| Preparation | Clean and devein prawns, cut off eyes and sharp edges, pat dry, fry, melt butter, saute, chop, boil, stir, garnish, season |
| Prawn type | Tiger prawns, king prawns |
| Cooking time | Less than 5 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | High heat |
| Cooking utensils | Knife, cutting board, large frying pan, rubber-tipped tongs |
| Accompaniments | Steamed jasmine rice, crusty bread, pear and rocket salad, lemon wedges, beets, goat's cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the prawns: Devein, remove eyes, and sharp edges
Preparing the prawns is a simple process, but it requires a few steps to ensure the best results. Firstly, it is recommended to buy fresh prawns with the shells on for added flavour and protection during cooking. Tiger prawns or king prawns are ideal for this dish due to their large size.
The next step is to remove the heads and keep them for other use if desired. Deveining the prawns is crucial to ensure they are clean and safe to eat. To do this, use a sharp knife to make a slit or cut down the back of the prawn, exposing the intestinal tract. Then, carefully remove the vein with the tip of your knife. This process ensures that any impurities are eliminated, making the prawns ready for cooking.
After deveining, it is important to address the eyes and sharp edges of the prawns. Cut off the eyes and any sharp parts of the shell to create a smoother and more appealing presentation. This step also makes the prawns safer to handle and eat, reducing the risk of accidental cuts or pokes.
Finally, it is essential to pat the prawns dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Removing excess moisture ensures that the prawns will not release water during cooking, which can affect the texture and flavour of the dish. Once the prawns are cleaned, dried, and prepared, they are ready for the next steps of the recipe.
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Cooking the prawns: Fry in oil, butter, and garlic
When cooking prawns, it is important to use a large frying pan to give them plenty of space to cook evenly. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil, but regular olive oil is preferable to extra virgin olive oil as it has a higher smoke point. Heat the oil in the pan over a high heat.
Next, add the butter to the hot oil. You can add some garlic at this stage, frying it until it is fragrant and lightly browned, but be careful not to burn it as this will leave a bitter aftertaste. You can also add some chopped chilli and sauté for 20 seconds, as well as some curry leaves, which are commonly used in southern Indian cuisine.
Now, add the prawns to the pan. If your prawns are frozen, it is best to defrost them first. It is also recommended to buy fresh prawns with their shells on for added flavour and protection during cooking. You can also buy raw prawns with the shells on and devein them yourself before cooking. To do this, use a sharp knife to slit the back of the prawn and remove the vein. You can leave the shell on, which will help to protect the prawns from overcooking, and remove the heads, or you can take the heads and shells off before cooking.
Finally, fry the prawns for around 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. You can then add some lemon or lime juice on top and cook for another minute. Prawns cook very quickly, so it is best to cook them over a high heat for a short time to avoid overcooking, which will make them rubbery and tough.
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Making the sauce: Add milk, cream, and cheese
To make the sauce for butter cheese prawns, you will need milk, cream, and cheese. You can use sliced Kraft cheese, which has been recommended as a good choice. You will also need butter, garlic, and onion or shallots.
First, heat up a non-stick pan and add a knob of butter. Allow the butter to melt, and then add your garlic and onion or shallots. Fry these until they are fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will leave a bitter aftertaste.
Next, pour in your thickened cream and milk. Bring this mixture to a boil. You can also add a chicken bouillon cube at this stage if you wish. Now, add your prawns to the sauce and lay your cheese slices on top. Cover the pan and leave it to simmer on high heat for one to two minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
Finally, take the lid off and stir the cheese sauce, combining it well with the prawns. Season with salt and ground white pepper to taste.
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Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and coriander
When it comes to seasoning, you can't go wrong with a classic trio: salt, pepper, and coriander. These simple spices will enhance the natural flavour of your butter cheese prawns without overwhelming the dish.
Salt is a staple in any kitchen, and for good reason. It enhances the flavours of the other ingredients in your dish. However, be cautious not to over-salt your prawns, as this can be difficult to rectify. Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preferences.
Pepper is another classic seasoning that adds a subtle kick to your prawns. Ground white pepper is a popular choice for this dish, but black pepper can also be used if you're looking for a bolder flavour.
Coriander is the final touch that brings your butter cheese prawns to life. This herb adds a fresh, bright flavour to the dish. Chopped coriander leaves can be used as a garnish, adding a beautiful green colour to your plate and a delightful aroma to your meal.
When seasoning your butter cheese prawns, it's important to taste as you go. This allows you to adjust the seasoning to your preference and ensure a delicious final product. Remember, you can always add more seasoning, but it's difficult to reverse over-seasoning.
By following these simple seasoning guidelines, you'll create a mouth-watering butter cheese prawn dish that your family and friends will devour. Enjoy the process and impress your taste buds!
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Serving suggestions: Steamed rice, crusty bread, or salad
Butter cheese prawns can be served with steamed rice, crusty bread, or a salad. Here are some ideas on how to prepare and serve them with these sides:
Steamed Rice
Steamed rice is a simple and versatile side dish that can be prepared in a few different ways. One method is to cook the rice in a pot on the stove, which typically yields the best results. First, measure out your rice and water—a ratio of 1 cup of uncooked rice to 3 cups of cooked rice works well. Bring the water to a boil, add the rice, and cook according to the package instructions. This usually takes around 13 minutes. For high-altitude cooking, add an additional minute of cook time for every 300 meters above sea level. If you're reheating leftover rice, sprinkle 2 teaspoons of water per cup of rice, cover, and microwave until heated through.
When serving butter cheese prawns with steamed rice, consider presenting them together in a bowl or on a plate. Place the steamed rice on one side and arrange the prawns on the other, with the buttery sauce drizzled over both. Garnish with chopped herbs or green onions for added freshness.
Crusty Bread
Crusty bread is another delicious option to soak up all the garlic butter sauce from the prawns. You can opt for a simple, no-knead crusty artisan bread that can be easily prepared at home. This type of bread has a chewy crust and a soft interior, perfect for dipping into the sauce.
To serve the prawns with crusty bread, provide a generous portion of the bread, either sliced or torn into pieces. Place the butter cheese prawns in a separate bowl, ensuring they are coated in the garlic butter sauce. Offer extra sauce and lemon wedges on the side for dipping and spritzing.
Salad
For a refreshing contrast to the rich butter cheese prawns, serve them with a crisp and flavorful salad. You can go for a classic prawn cocktail salad, a seventies twist with a modern main meal appeal, or create your own combination of greens, vegetables, and a light dressing.
When pairing the prawns with a salad, consider serving them on top of the bed of greens or alongside the salad. You might want to skewer the prawns for easier eating, especially if the salad is served as a starter or appetizer. Drizzle the prawns with some of the garlic butter sauce and provide extra sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need prawns, butter, garlic, cheese, oil, milk, and some spices (e.g. chilli flakes, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper).
Yes, you should clean the prawns and remove the heads. You can choose to remove the shells or leave them on for added flavour. If you leave the shells on, make sure to cut off the eyes and sharp edges, and then slit down the back to remove the veins.
Melt butter and oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the garlic and any spices, and cook until fragrant. Then, add the prawns and cook until they change colour, about 2 minutes per side.
After cooking the prawns, lay cheese slices on top and cover the pan. Let it simmer for a minute or two until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
Steamed jasmine rice, crusty bread, and a side of lemon wedges are all great options to serve with butter cheese prawns.
