Best Spiced Mekong Delta Prawns Tom Huong Cay Recipes

HOT SPICED PRAWNS

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large wide saucepan, and throw in the scallions, garlic and ginger.
• Stir everything around vigorously until the onions begin to wilt, and then toss in the prawns, stirring again. Cover the pan and let everything cook for about 5 minutes; then, remove the lid and pour in the sherry. Stir again, then cover the pan until the prawns are cooked through and no longer glassy in the middle. Taste; add a sprinkling of salt if you need it. Pour into a large shallow bowl, making sure you don't lose all the bits of onion, garlic and ginger, and take immediately to the table.

FENNEL SPICED PRAWNS WITH CITRUS SALAD

Steps:

• Sprinkle the fennel spice evenly over the flesh side of the prawns and let sit, covered and refrigerated, overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet with even curved edge over medium high heat until hot. Lay the prawns, flesh down, against the curved sides of the pan, tails up and heads toward the center of the pan. Press them down with spatula or rest a slightly smaller pan on top of the prawns as a weight, so they cook evenly and rapidly. This will give them a gently curled shape. Cook until they begin to turn pink around the edges, about 2 minutes. Place the pan in the oven until the prawns are evenly pink, about 2 minutes longer.
• Cut the skin and white pith off all the citrus fruits and segment the fruits over a bowl to catch the segments and juices. Season with the salt and pepper and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Toss well, taste for balance and reserve.
• To serve, place 1/4 of the watercress on 4 plates. Toss the citrus mixture again and spoon around and over the watercresss, moistening with juices. Arrange 3 prawns around each salad, standing them in a circle, tails up, and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.
• Fennel Spice Rub:
• 1 cup fennel seeds
• 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons white peppercorns
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
• Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
• Yield: about 1 1/4 cups
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

SPICED PRAWNS WITH CORIANDER MAYO

Steps:

• Mix the breadcrumbs, chilli powder, cumin, crushed chillies, if using, and lime zest with ½ tsp salt and lots of black pepper. Spread over a plate. Toss the prawns in the flour, then dip them into the egg and then into the crumbs. Shake off excess crumbs. Can be chilled in one layer for up to one day ahead.
• When ready to cook, heat a few centimetres of oil in a large, deep frying pan. The oil is hot enough when a few crumbs tipped into it sizzle and turn brown. Fry the prawns in batches for 2 mins, turning halfway, until the crumbs are crisp and golden all over. Lift them onto kitchen paper to drain (they will keep in a low oven for 15 mins if necessary), then serve on a warm plate, with lime wedges scattered around. Mix the lime juice and coriander into the mayonnaise and serve alongside.