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What it is
King prawns are large, meaty prawns with sweet, firm flesh, sold raw or cooked and shell on or peeled. We sell them by weight at the counter, raw grey shell-on prawns that turn pink as they cook, or ready-cooked to peel and eat. Peeled and deveined by hand on request.
Why choose it
King prawns are quick, generous and full of flavour, and they cook in minutes. Shell on, they carry more flavour and the shell protects the meat from overcooking. They take garlic, chilli and butter as happily as a curry or a stir-fry, and a bowl of them shell on is a meal on its own.
How it tastes
Sweet, clean and firm, with a satisfying snap when they are cooked right. The shell and head hold a lot of the flavour, which is why cooking them shell on and saving the shells for stock pays off. Raw prawns are grey and translucent and turn pink and opaque as they cook. Overcooked, they turn tough and dry, so pull them off the moment they curl.
How to cook it
Pan-fry shell-on prawns in garlic butter, butterfly and grill them, throw them into a stir-fry or curry, or barbecue them on skewers. Cook raw prawns until they turn pink and curl into a loose C. A tight O means they are overdone.
What goes with it
Garlic, chilli, butter and parsley. Lemon and crusty bread to mop the pan. Lime, ginger, coriander and soy for an Asian direction. Marie Rose sauce and lettuce for a cocktail with cooked prawns.
How long it takes
Large raw king prawns pan-fry in 2 to 3 minutes a side until pink, grill or barbecue in 3 to 4 minutes, and cook through a curry in 4 to 5 minutes. They cook fast, so watch them. Times vary with size.
Nutrition
King prawns are high in protein and very low in fat, with around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams. They carry selenium, iodine and B12, and they are low in calories before butter or oil.
Sustainability
Ask at the counter for the day's sourcing. We can advise on farmed versus wild and cold-water versus warm-water prawns and on responsibly sourced options, and suggest an alternative if you want one.
Where to buy it
At the counter at 18 Barnes High Street, peeled to order on request, or delivered across south west London and shipped across the UK.
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Common questions
What is the difference between raw and cooked king prawns?
Raw king prawns are grey and translucent and turn pink as you cook them, which lets you cook them into a dish with garlic or spice. Cooked prawns are already pink and ready to eat cold or to warm through. For a garlic prawn pan or a curry, use raw.
How do I cook raw king prawns?
Pan-fry them in garlic butter for 2 to 3 minutes a side until they turn pink and curl into a loose C. A tight curl means overdone. Shell on carries more flavour and keeps them juicy.
Can I freeze king prawns?
Yes. Raw and cooked prawns both freeze well for up to three months. Freeze raw prawns you have not thawed before, and defrost in the fridge overnight. Do not refreeze prawns that were sold defrosted.
Do I need to devein king prawns?
It is worth removing the dark vein along the back of larger prawns for a cleaner look and taste. We will peel and devein them for you at the counter, or leave them shell on for more flavour.
How do I know king prawns are cooked?
Raw prawns turn from grey and translucent to pink and opaque, and they curl into a loose C shape. Pull them off the heat straight away, because a tight O shape and a rubbery texture mean they are overcooked.
Are king prawns high in protein?
Yes. King prawns carry around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams with very little fat, which makes them a lean high-protein choice.
Common questions
What is the difference between raw and cooked king prawns?
Raw king prawns are grey and translucent and turn pink as you cook them, which lets you cook them into a dish with garlic or spice. Cooked prawns are already pink and ready to eat cold or to warm through. For a garlic prawn pan or a curry, use raw.
How do I cook raw king prawns?
Pan-fry them in garlic butter for 2 to 3 minutes a side until they turn pink and curl into a loose C. A tight curl means overdone. Shell on carries more flavour and keeps them juicy.
Can I freeze king prawns?
Yes. Raw and cooked prawns both freeze well for up to three months. Freeze raw prawns you have not thawed before, and defrost in the fridge overnight. Do not refreeze prawns that were sold defrosted.
Do I need to devein king prawns?
It is worth removing the dark vein along the back of larger prawns for a cleaner look and taste. We will peel and devein them for you at the counter, or leave them shell on for more flavour.
How do I know king prawns are cooked?
Raw prawns turn from grey and translucent to pink and opaque, and they curl into a loose C shape. Pull them off the heat straight away, because a tight O shape and a rubbery texture mean they are overcooked.
Are king prawns high in protein?
Yes. King prawns carry around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams with very little fat, which makes them a lean high-protein choice.
