How To Grill Prawns With Cilantro

Scientists know the difference between shrimps and prawns, but your local wet market may not. What some call "jumbo" shrimp, others call "prawns." Adding to the confusion, the word "scampi" refers to a dish made either with prawns or shrimp. Whatever they're called, nothing beats prawns' delicious, low-fat flesh. The most basic cooking method is seasoning them first with oil, salt and pepper before grilling. Adding cilantro heightens their taste. Learn the basic method, then create your own cilantro prawn recipe later on.

Step 1

Cut off the prawns' heads and peel off their skins. Cut a slit along each prawn's backside to reveal the dark vein; pull it out. Rinse the prawns in water then pat dry. Set aside.

Step 2

Mix cilantro and extra-virgin olive oil in a bowl. Drop the prawns into the bowl, and gently toss to coat them with the mix. Let the prawns marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Thread the prawns onto grilling skewers. Brush the assembled kebabs with more of the remaining oil-cilantro marinade. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Preheat your grill to medium. Grill the skewers for about 3 minutes per prawn side. The kebabs are ready to eat when the prawns turn white and pinkish-orange.

Tips and Warnings

This basic marinade and cooking procedure is the basis for every version of cilantro-seasoned grilled prawns. Go ahead and mix in other marinade ingredients you'd like to eat with prawns and cilantro. But always follow the same procedure, so you'll get well-flavored and perfectly cooked prawns every time. A more flavorful Vietnamese-inspired version adds the following ingredients to the basic marinade: 4 tsp. minced garlic, 1 tsp. minced celery stalks, a few pinches of crushed red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp. white wine, and 2 tsp. crushed roasted peanuts. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice onto the finished kebabs as they're eaten. Here's a California version: grilled prawns with orange marmalade, cilantro, and lime juice. Use the same steps and amount of prawns, but use a marinade of 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp. orange marmalade, 4 chopped garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp. honey. After the 30-minute marination, sprinkle 1 tsp. of salt over the prawns before grilling.
When grilling prawns on a rack directly over fire, don't be tempted to add more than 2 tsp. of white wine or any alcoholic drink to the marinade. The alcohol may ignite and overcook your prawns. If you're using wooden or bamboo skewers, TV foodie celebrity Jamie Oliver suggests soaking them first in cold water for at least 10 minutes before using. Otherwise, you risk burning them while grilling. Do not overcook the prawns or they will turn dry and rubbery. Take them off the grill when they turn into the right color. When in doubt, cut open a corner of one prawn to check if it's cooked.