I have a little trick I want to share with you. One that I discovered from prepping prawns for Japanese cooking. Have you ever wondered why cooked prawns are relatively straight in Japanese cuisine? For example on top of your ebi nigiri (hand moulded sushi topped with cooked prawn). Yet when you throw a few on the barbie they curl up into tight little circles.
It all comes down to cleaning your prawns properly.
Did you know there are actually two 'veins' that you need to remove when cleaning your prawns. There is the one we all know about, the black poop shoot that runs down the back of your prawns.
the top two prawns still have the white 'vein' intact, the bottom prawn has had it removed
Have you ever really looked at the anatomy of a prawn? Once you have removed the prawn's shell, turn it over and have look on its underside. There is another 'vein', white in colour, that runs from head to tail.
The trick is to remove this white 'vein' also. Your prawns will still have a slight curve to them, but won't curl up into tight circles. The curling is caused by this 'vein' contracting when cooking.
By using a knife it is relatively easy to remove. Place the sharp tip of your knife under the 'vein' and gently pull it out. By removing this your prawns will stay adequately straight for the barbeque.
the white 'vein"
If you want to achieve perfectly straight prawns to use on top of nigiri, then you will need to use a skewer. Before poaching your prawns, remove both veins and then insert a skewer from tail to head. This results in a perfectly straight prawn once the skewer has been removed.
Do tell dear Belly Rumbles' reader, do you have any tricks for cooking prawns?
Susan
Love making stuffed large whole prawns [heads on] and have always removed the white vein, then split small slits along the edges to prevent the curling. Usually stuff them with a mild cooked flaked fish that has been seasoned and mixed with cream cheese. They look like they are ready to crawl off the platter because I also leave the legs intact to help keep my stuffing inside. Baked on foil and covered with a heavy flat pan, yummy.
Elle
Sara! You're amazing, I'm making prawn tempura tomorrow and have been panicking, first time making it for the in law, will hopefully be nice at straight. Thanks for the tip!
Sara
Hi Elle, LOOOOOOVE tempura prawns, sounds like your in-law will be in for a treat tomorrow. Just remember that they will still have a little curve to them, but wont be tight little rings we know and love 😉
Amanda@ChewTown
Genius! So simple, but makes such a difference.
Sandy | Hungry Again?
I never considered prawn anatomy. This is fascinating! Here's to good looking prawns from now on 🙂
Sara
I don't really think it is something you consider, really isn't much to a prawn ;p
Helen (Grab Your Fork)
omg i had no idea about this trick. I just thought you had to skewer them to keep them straight!
Sara
Funny what we learn. I was amazed when I first found out about this trick.
nancy@jamjnr
After 4 years living in Tokyo I didn't even notice/think about it. I'm feeling a little stupid right about now….talking of which I had trouble with the human verification game the other day!!!
Sara
It isn't obvious like the poop track. Sometimes it will play up. Best thing to do is refresh the page completely. It doesn't happen that often but when it does I know it can be frustrating.
Julie
best tip ever Sara 🙂 thanks for sharing
Sara
My pleasure Julie.
Monique
Mind. Blown.
Sara
LOL!
shez
Very clever! Will keep an eye out for that sneaky sucker next time 🙂
Sara
It is a sneaky one.
Tina @ bitemeshowme
very interesting - i so didn't know there was a white vein! thanks for sharing!
Sara
I didn't know it existed for quite a while either, considering the number of prawns I have eaten, is quite amazing.
Annie @ The Random Foodie
mum and i saw something similar on iron chef or masterchef (can't remember which show tbh) where it straightens the prawn using the skewers. been cooking prawns like that ever since then 🙂
Sara
I love this method when I don't want to use a skewer but still keep them from curling.
JJ - 84thand3rd
Great tip Sara 🙂
Sara
Thanks JJ
Food is our religion
I use a tooth pick sometimes when I am lazy but it is basically the same concept as using a skewer. Your prawns are so neatly trimmed, it is almost so cute!
Sara
Awe thank you, cute prawns 😉