Spicy Garlic 'Pepper' Prawns

Punchy and colorful, Caribbean cooking is influenced by a myriad different cooking traditions and ingredients, brought by settlers from countries including Portugal, Spain, France and Britain. Columbus brought sugar cane for rum; okra and salt-fish came from West Africa; and spices and flat breads traveled from the Middle East. Native crops —such as corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes — were used with European, African, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors, to create full bodied, feisty dishes with a character all of their own.\

Food is a big part of the Caribbean culture, and the Notting Hill Carnival is no exception to this part of the culture. Caribbean food is rapidly becoming more popular everyday, and through out the archives I'm going to be including some of the favorite recipes from Carnival and how to make your own versions at home! 

SERVES

4–6

INGREDIENTS

• 450g fresh or thawed frozen raw large king prawns (16–20), in shells with heads on
• 1 Scotch bonnet chilli, chopped with seeds
• 2 tablespoons sea salt
• 475ml vegetable oil
• 6 garlic cloves, diced
• 25g spring onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon sugar

METHOD

Butterfly the prawns and remove the veins but leave the shells and heads on. Place in a bowl and rub the prawns with 1 tablespoon of the salt, then leave to stand for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the prawns in batches and deep-fry for 40–60 seconds, then quickly remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. When all the prawns have been deep-fried, pour the oil out of the pan, leaving just 1 tablespoon.

Quickly sauté the Scotch bonnet, garlic, spring onions, sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon sea salt in small batches over a high heat for a few seconds. Add the prawns in batches, give them a quick toss to coat with the seasoning and remove quickly from the pan. Repeat until all the prawns are finished. Serve immediately.


{Recipe from Creole Kitchen, by Vanessa Bolosier. You can publish her book here. I can attest to this being a GREAT purchase with yummy dishes!! These are just a few of my favorites!!}