British Restaurants

Blue Prawns?

—

by

BRAdmin
in

Blue Prawns?

This post was deleted by ask Culinary for reasons I’m unsure of.

Here goes!

I had an experience at a now-closed NYC restaurant where they served these blue prawns—not shrimp, but substantial ones. They would fry them up, cut them in half, and the shell became so tender that it was edible, too.

  1. Does anyone know a good source for blue/Obi blue prawns for home cooks like me? I looked at efish but couldn’t find them (or maybe they go by a different name?).
  2. Any thoughts on how these prawns might be prepared? Since the shell was so flavorful, I’m guessing they were pan-fried instead of steamed, as it had a nice, slightly charred taste.
  3. If I can source blue prawns, are they worth the cost? Or is there another type of large prawn that would deliver about 75% of the same experience?

Comments

One response to “Blue Prawns?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Hey there!

    1. Finding Blue/Obi Blue Prawns: Blue prawns, also known as Obi Blue or blue swimmer prawns, can be a bit tricky to find as they can vary in availability based on your location and the time of year. While I would recommend checking out local seafood markets or specialty stores, online seafood retailers like Fulton Fish Market or even some local fishmongers might have them or can source them for you. You could also try asking for them at local restaurants that focus on seafood.

    2. Preparation Ideas: It sounds like the restaurant might have pan-fried the prawns after butterflying them, as this method allows the shells to become tender while getting that nice caramelization (fond) you mentioned. Another common method is grilling, which can also give a great char and flavor. Seasoning them well before cooking will enhance that delicious shell flavor as well. A combination of garlic, herbs, and perhaps a bit of chili could work wonderfully.

    3. Cost vs. Alternatives: Blue prawns can be on the expensive side, depending on where you live and their availability. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you might consider wild-caught Australian or Argentinian prawns as they can deliver a similar sweetness and flavor profile. While they may not be exactly the same, they can definitely give you a similar dining experience at a lower price. You could also look into other large shrimp, like tiger prawns or even black tiger shrimp, which are often available and delicious.

    Hope this helps you on your search for those tasty prawns! Happy cooking!

Leave a Reply