Recipe Overview

This garlic butter prawns and rice recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. It combines succulent prawns with fragrant garlic, creamy butter, and fluffy rice to create a mouthwatering meal.

The main ingredients you will need for this recipe are fresh or frozen prawns/prawns, long-grain white rice, minced garlic cloves, unsalted butter, chicken stock (or vegetable stock), diced tomatoes (tinned or fresh), peas (fresh or frozen), lemon slices for garnish (optional), and chopped parsley for added freshness.

To make this flavourful dish:

1. Cooking the Onion and Garlic

Start by cooking the onion and minced garlic in olive oil until they become translucent.

2. Adding Rice and Stock

Add the uncooked rice to the pan along with your choice of broth/stock – either chicken or vegetable works well here.

3. Stirring in Tomatoes and Peas

Stir in diced tomatoes which add tanginess to balance out flavours while adding vibrant colour as well. Add some green peas into it. They not only provide texture but also bring sweetness & vibrancy on the plate.

4. Cooking the Rice Mixture

Cover the pan tightly with a lid allowing everything to cook together over medium heat until all liquid has been absorbed by the rice grains.

5. Searing the Prawns

While waiting for the rice mixture to cook perfectly, move onto preparing the prawns separately. Season them lightly before searing them off quickly till golden brown from both sides using another frying pan/pot.

6. Adding Garlic Butter Sauce

Once done, remove the prawns aside. Now melt butter then sauté garlic briefly just enough so its rawness goes away without burning it. Then toss back those beautifully caramelised prawns into the pot, coating each one evenly within the garlicky goodness. Finish up seasoning if needed at the last moment itself since salted butter was used already during the searing process too!

7. Serving

Serve hot! You may choose to serve alongside lemon wedges, sprinkle parsley leaves atop, etc.

With these simple steps, you can easily recreate this delectable garlic butter prawns and rice dish in your own kitchen. The combination of flavours from the succulent prawns, aromatic garlic, creamy butter, and fluffy rice will surely impress your family or guests.

This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you want something flavourful yet easy to prepare. It’s also versatile as it can be customised by adding other ingredients like chicken, sausage, or additional seafood if desired.

So why not give this delicious garlic butter prawns and rice recipe a try? You won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients

To make this delicious garlic butter prawns and rice dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound of large prawns, peeled and deveined

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup of long-grain white rice

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

• 14 ounces tinned diced tomatoes (optional)

• ½ cup frozen peas

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice from half a lemon

• Salt, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

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Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant and translucent.

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Add the Rice

Next, add in the rice to the pan with onions and garlic. Stir well so that each grain of rice is coated in oil.

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Add Stock and Tomatoes

Pour in chicken or vegetable stock into the same pan along with tinned tomatoes (undrained) for added flavour. Give it a good stir before covering with a lid.

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Cook the Rice

Cook on low-medium heat for about 15-20 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed by the rice grains.

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Prepare the Prawns

While your rice cooks, prepare your prawns separately. In another frying pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add peeled deveined prawns. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. Sear both sides till golden brown. It should take around 2-3 minutes per side depending upon size. Remove from frying pan once done.

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Combine and Serve

Once everything is cooked through, simply combine together. Gently fold seared prawns into prepared garlicky tomatoey peas infused fluffy white basmati. Serve hot!

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Enhance the Dish

For an extra burst of flavours, top off this dish with freshly chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, and drizzle melted garlic butter sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for Cooking Prawns

Thawing and cooking frozen prawns can be a breeze if you follow these helpful tips. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen prawns, it’s important to handle them properly to ensure the best flavour and texture in your dish.

1. Thawing Frozen Prawns:

• The safest way to thaw frozen prawns is by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

• If time is limited, you can also use the defrost setting on your microwave or place the sealed bag of prawns under cold running water until they are fully thawed.

• Avoid leaving raw seafood at room temperature for an extended period as this increases the risk of bacterial growth.

2. Choosing Good Quality Frozen Prawns/Prawns:

• Look for high-quality brands that source their seafood responsibly and have good reviews from customers.

• Opt for wild-caught rather than farm-raised varieties whenever possible since they tend to have better flavour profiles.

3. Cooking Techniques:

There are various ways to cook delicious garlic butter prawns:

a) Searing/Shallow Frying Method

• Heat a pan over medium-high heat with some oil/butter until hot but not smoking.

• Add seasoned (salt & pepper) prawns into one layer without overcrowding; otherwise, they will steam instead of sear nicely due to excess moisture released during cooking process).

• Cook each side about 2 minutes per side till golden brown colour appears while flipping once halfway through.

b) Grilling/Grilling Method

• Preheat grill/grill on medium-high heat/setting before adding marinated/shell-on prawns onto skewers/grill rack coated lightly with non-stick spray/oil so that food doesn’t stick when turning sides frequently throughout grilling session lasting around 4–6 mins total depending upon size/thickness desired doneness level achieved).

c) Boiling Method

• Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add the prawns.

• Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them as this can result in rubbery texture.

4. Other Recipes with Prawns/Prawns:

Prawns/prawns are incredibly versatile seafood that can be used in various dishes apart from garlic butter prawns and rice recipe:

a) Prawns Scampi:

A classic Italian dish where prawns are cooked in a flavourful sauce made with garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and parsley served over pasta or crusty bread.

b) Coconut Curry Prawns:

This vibrant curry combines succulent prawns with aromatic spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander cooked in creamy coconut milk-based gravy perfect when paired with steamed jasmine rice or naan bread.

c) Cajun Jambalaya:

A hearty one-pot meal featuring sautéed prawns along with sausage (and sometimes chicken), vegetables simmering together flavoured by bold Creole seasonings mixed into long-grain rice creating an explosion of flavours on your taste buds!

By following these tips for thawing frozen prawns properly and using good quality ingredients while exploring other recipes such as scampi or jambalaya alongside our delicious garlic butter prawns and rice recipe will surely elevate your culinary experience!

Customisation Options

Garlic butter prawns and rice is a versatile dish that can be easily customised to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for variations or additions you can try:

1. Chicken Addition:

• If you’re craving an extra protein boost, consider adding chicken to the recipe. Simply dice boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces and cook them along with the onion and garlic at the beginning of the recipe.

• Sauté until cooked through before proceeding with adding rice, stock, tomatoes, peas, and seasoning as per the original instructions.

2. Sausage Twist:

• For those who enjoy a smoky flavour in their dishes, incorporating sausage is a fantastic option.

• Choose your favourite type of smoked sausage such as chorizo or Andouille sausage.

• Slice it into rounds or half-moons before cooking it alongside onions and garlic at the start of preparing this delightful meal.

3. Seafood Medley:

• To elevate this dish further by introducing more seafood flavours, consider combining different types of seafood like mussels, clams, and calamari rings along with prawns to create an exquisite medley bursting with oceanic goodness!

4. Vegetable Variations:

• While peas add colour contrast to our Garlic Butter Prawns & Rice Recipe, feel free to experiment using other vegetables too! You could include peppers, corn kernels, courgette slices, etc.

• Just ensure they complement well both visually and flavour-wise.

Remember that these customisation options allow you to get creative in making this already delicious dish even more exciting according to your personal tastes!

Feel free to explore various combinations based on what ingredients are readily available in your pantry. The possibilities are endless when customising garlic butter prawns and rice – so don’t hesitate; let yourself indulge in culinary experimentation today!

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving garlic butter prawns and rice, there are plenty of delicious options that can complement this flavourful dish. Here are some ideas for side dishes or accompaniments that pair well with the flavours of the prawns and rice:

1. Steamed Vegetables:

• Serve a medley of steamed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and snap peas alongside your garlic butter prawns and rice.

• The vibrant colours and fresh taste will provide a nice contrast to the rich flavours of the main dish.

2. Crusty Bread:

• A warm loaf of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce from your garlic butter prawns.

• It adds an extra element to each bite while providing a satisfying texture.

3. Green Salad:

• Pairing your meal with a refreshing green salad can help balance out its richness.

• Opt for crisp lettuce leaves topped with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, avocado chunks, and drizzle them lightly with lemon vinaigrette dressing.

4. Grilled Asparagus Spears:

• For an elegant touch on your plate, grill some asparagus spears until tender-crisp and serve them alongside the garlicky goodness in every forkful you take!

5. Citrus Fruit Salsa:

• Prepare citrus fruit salsa by combining diced oranges, grapefruit segments, chopped coriander, finely minced red onion along with lime juice.

• This tangy-sweet salsa pairs beautifully against succulent prawns.

Remember that these suggestions are just starting points; feel free to get creative based on personal preferences! Whether you choose one or multiple sides from this list—or even come up with something entirely unique—your guests (or yourself) will surely appreciate having additional elements on their plates when enjoying this delightful combination.

Nutrition Information

Garlic butter prawns and rice is not only a delicious dish but also offers some nutritional benefits. Here’s the nutrition information for this recipe:

Calories

The exact calorie count may vary depending on portion size, ingredients used, and cooking methods. However, garlic butter prawns and rice generally falls within a moderate range of calories.

Protein

Prawns is an excellent source of protein. It provides all essential amino acids required by our bodies to build muscle tissue and support various bodily functions.

Healthy Fats

While the name suggests “butter,” it doesn’t mean that this dish is loaded with unhealthy fats. By using moderation in adding butter or opting for healthier alternatives like olive oil or avocado oil-based spreads, you can still enjoy its rich flavour without compromising your health goals.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Prawns contains omega-3 fatty acids which are known to have numerous health benefits including reducing inflammation in the body, supporting heart health, improving brain function, and promoting healthy skin.

It’s important to note that while garlic butter prawns itself has several nutritional advantages due to being low in saturated fat compared to other meats such as beef or pork; however, the overall nutrient profile will depend on how much additional seasoning (such as salt) is added during preparation.

Remember that individual dietary needs may differ based on factors such as age, gender, lifestyle choices, and any underlying medical conditions. It’s always recommended consulting with a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns about incorporating certain foods into your diet.

Enjoying garlic butter prawns alongside nutritious sides like steamed vegetables, salad greens, fresh herbs, rice pilaf made from whole grains, couscous/quinoa, makes it an even more balanced meal option packed full of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and antioxidants. So go ahead and savour every bite knowing you’re nourishing yourself!

References

• https://simply-delicious-food.com/easy-garlic-butter-shrimp-and-rice/

• https://www.wellplated.com/garlic-butter-shrimp/

• https://www.budgetbytes.com/one-pot-lemon-garlic-shrimp-and-rice/