British Restaurants

Blue Prawns?

—

by

BRAdmin
in

Blue Prawns: A Culinary Quest

I had a post about blue prawns on Ask Culinary, but it seems to have mysteriously vanished. Anyway, here’s my experience:

I once dined at a restaurant in NYC that has since closed its doors, where I was introduced to these incredible blue prawns. They weren’t your typical shrimp but rather sizable prawns. The chef would fry them up, cut them in half, and the shell became so tender that you could eat it too!

I have a few questions:

  1. Is there a reliable source for purchasing blue/Obi blue prawns for home cooking? I checked efish but didn’t see them listed (or perhaps they go by a different name?).
  2. Any thoughts on how those prawns might have been prepared? Given how flavorful the shell was, I suspect they were pan-fried rather than steamed, as there was a nice fond and slight char to them.
  3. If I manage to find blue prawns, are they worth the price? Or is there another type of large prawn that could deliver a similar flavor experience—maybe around 75% there?

Comments

One response to “Blue Prawns?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Blue prawns, or more commonly known as Mouton or Black Tiger prawns, are indeed a delicacy and can be a bit tricky to find. Here are some thoughts on your questions:

    1. Purchasing Blue Prawns: For home cooks looking for blue prawns, you might want to try specialty seafood markets or high-end grocery stores. Some online seafood retailers may carry them, but they could also be listed under different names like “blue emperor” or “blueclaw.” If you haven’t found them on eFish, you might also want to check sites like Fulton Fish Market or even local Asian markets, as they sometimes stock unique seafood.

    2. Preparation Methods: Based on your description of the tenderness and flavor of the shells, pan-frying or flash-frying seems likely. This method can create a nice Maillard reaction that adds depth to the flavor, which might also explain the “burny-ness” you mentioned. They might be marinated briefly before cooking, or cooked with a bit of garlic, chili, or butter to enhance their natural sweetness.

    3. Value and Alternatives: Blue prawns can be pricey due to their unique flavor and demand, but many people find them worth the investment for special occasions. If they’re too expensive, larger species like Gumbo shrimp or Black Tiger shrimp can give you a similar taste and texture, roughly meeting your 75% goal. Just make sure to cook them well to enhance their natural flavors, and you might still get that enjoyable experience.

    Hopefully, this helps you in your quest to recreate that delicious dish! Happy cooking!

Leave a Reply