Prawns Sauteed with Garlic

Gambas à la Plancha. Recipe is from "Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore: Dinner for Everyone at the Table" by Anna Thomas (W.W. Norton & Company, 2016). Prawns sauteed in garlic is one of those classic, simple dishes found all over the Mediterranean, from the tapa bars of Spain to the mezze tables of the Middle East. You can saute prawns or large shrimp in their shells, or you can peel them down to their tails, which makes them an easy finger food. Serves 6-8.

By / Photography By | March 09, 2016

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 to 8 Serving(s)
  • 1 pound large prawns (14–18)
  • 2–3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish

Instructions

Prawns can be sauteed in their shells or peeled, depending on how you want to serve them. Sauteing in the shell keeps in a bit more flavor, but peeling prawns makes them much easier to eat (and you don’t need finger bowls). If peeling prawns, leave tails on and remove dark veins.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add garlic, and add prawns right on top of it. Cook prawns over high heat for about a minute, until you see them starting to turn pink, then turn them over. Add lemon juice and chopped cilantro and cook another minute or so, just until prawns have turned pink all over. Exact cooking time depends on size of prawns.

Sprinkle on a tiny bit of sea salt and serve prawns with lemon wedges and crusty bread.

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Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 to 8 Serving(s)
  • 1 pound large prawns (14–18)
  • 2–3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish