Despite their name, giant prawns are still small enough to cook quickly. So quickly, in fact, that it's easy to overcook them and turn them into rubbery, gritty nuggets. You can boil, grill, sautee or broil prawns, which are commonly also referred to as shrimp --- they are slightly different biologically, but processing can make it tough to know which you're eating. Cooking them with their shells on is easier, but might be messier for your guests. However you choose to cook them, keep an eye on your giant prawns to keep them moist and tender.
Step 1
Thaw the prawns if they are frozen. Place them in a bowl of cool water. Do not microwave or immerse in hot water, as this will begin the cooking process.
Step 2
Peel and de-vein the prawn if you wish to serve them this way. You can leave the tail on, if you want to serve them as finger food. Cut a slit at the top of the prawn on its back, then cut down to the tail. Pull the shell forward and the meat back to remove the prawn from the shell. Cut a slit in the top of the prawn along its back and cut down the middle to the bottom of the prawn. Remove the dark vein from inside the prawn.
Step 3
Marinate the prawns in any sauce you choose, if you wish to serve the prawns flavored this way. Lightly oil the prawns with olive oil, then apply any seasonings you prefer, if you want to serve your prawns seasoned.
Step 4
Heat a grill to medium high heat if you want grilled giant prawns. Place the prawns on the grill and let cook for two minutes without moving them. Flip them over and cook for another two to three minutes, or until they turn orange on the outside and the meat turns white on the inside.
Step 5
Heat a frying or saute pan to medium-high heat if you want fried giant prawns. Add oil to the pan, depending on how you marinated or seasoned your prawns. Place the prawns in the pan and let sit for two minutes, then turn with tongs. Do not press down on the prawns during the cooking process. Add more sauce or seasoning after the flip, if you desire.
Step 6
Heat a pot of water to boiling, large enough to let all of the prawns float freely, if you want boiled giant prawns. If they bunch up in a small pot, the ones in the center may not cook completely. Add salt or other seasonings, such as a Cajun or Lowcountry boil, to the water. Let the prawns cook until they are bright orange, or about five minutes.
Step 7
Set your oven to broil if you plan to broil the giant prawns. Place oiled and seasoned prawns on the broiler pan. Place under the broiler for two minutes, then turn and finish for about two more minutes, depending on your broiler's heat. Remove from the oven and immediately take the prawns off the broiling pan or they will continue to cook.
Tips and Warnings
- Place prawns boiled in the shell into a bowl of ice if you do not plan to serve them immediately. They will continue to cook in their shells otherwise.
- Do not eat prawns that are translucent or a dull gray or pink. These prawns are not completely cooked. Cook one prawn before the rest to learn the cooking time for your prawns, based on your heating method.
Things You'll Need
- Marinade
- Seasonings
- Tongs
- Frying pan, broiler pan, large pot or grill
- Bowl of ice
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