2023 has arrived, marking the beginning of a new year filled with hope and possibilities. While the Vietnamese tradition doesn’t typically celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31st, as students living abroad, we readily embrace Western customs and eagerly welcome the holiday season. Whether reuniting with our families or gathering with friends who aren’t home for Christmas and New Year, food always plays a central role in these gatherings. And what could be better than a recipe that requires minimal effort, serves a large number of people, and, of course, tastes delicious? Enter garlic butter grilled prawns.
Grilled prawns on skewers make for the perfect party food. With no need for fancy utensils, all you need is your hand (and perhaps a napkin to clean up afterwards). If you have access to a table grill, it adds an interactive element to your gathering, allowing guests to cook their own food and keeping everyone engaged and excited. I guarantee that the sizzling heat and enticing aroma from the grill will make your get-together even more enjoyable, cozy, and memorable.
How to Make Garlic Butter Grilled Prawns
INGREDIENTS
- 600 grams (1.3 lbs) of prawns (fresh or frozen)
- 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 20 ml (4 teaspoons) of olive oil
- 4-5 large garlic cloves (20 grams), minced
- 5 grams (1 tablespoon) of grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper
- Bamboo skewers
INSTRUCTIONS
- Begin by preparing the prawns. Cut off the antennae and hard rostrum from the head of each prawn. Thread one prawn onto each skewer. Using a sharp knife or scissors, de-vein the prawns by making a shallow cut along the back from the head to the tail. Rinse them and pat them dry with paper towels (Pic 1).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients (pic 2). Using a small spoon, spread the garlic butter herb paste onto the split back of each prawn (pic 3). You can also brush any leftover paste on the body of the prawns for added buttery flavor.
- Arrange the prawns on a baking tray (pic 4). Grill them at 200-210°C/390-410°F until they are cooked, indicated by the beautiful orange-pink color of their shells (pic 5-6). I typically put the prawns in the oven as soon as I turn it on, and the total baking time is around 25-30 minutes.
- These prawns are best enjoyed while still hot, accompanied by a fresh squeeze of lemon. And if you want to elevate the experience, a glass of cold white wine would make them even more delightful
