Pickled Prawns

Ingredients for Pickled Prawns

• 725ml unseasoned rice vinegar

• 725ml olive oil

• 240ml fresh lemon juice

• 240ml paper-thin lemon slices

• 160g paper-thin red onion slices

• 160g sliced peeled garlic cloves (about 1 large head)

• 12 fresh bay leaves, coarsely torn

• 3 tablespoons celery seeds

• 3 tablespoons mustard seeds

• 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1925ml water

• 1 cup coarse kosher salt

• 10 Turkish bay leaves

• 6 fresh thyme sprigs

• 1 unpeeled whole head of garlic, cut crosswise in half

• 35g paprika

• 2 tablespoons mustard seeds

• 1 tablespoon whole allspice

• 1 tablespoon celery seeds

• 1 tablespoon cardamom pods

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 900g uncooked large prawns in shells

• Ice cubes

• Crusty bread

Stir rice vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon slices, onion slices, garlic cloves, bay leaves, celery seeds, mustard seeds, coarse kosher salt, and black pepper in large bowl until salt dissolves. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Place 8 cups water in large pot. Add coarse salt, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, garlic, paprika, mustard seeds, allspice, celery seeds, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes. Add prawns; stir to separate. Boil just until shells turn pink, about 2 minutes. Using large skimmer, transfer prawns to colander to drain.

Line rimmed baking sheet with layer of ice cubes. Scatter prawns on ice to cool quickly, about 5 minutes. Peel and devein prawns, leaving tails intact. Add peeled prawns to pickling mixture; stir to blend. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours and up to 6 hours.

Using slotted spoon, lift prawns from pickling mixture. Arrange on platter. Serve with crusty bread.

A special meal like this deserves a bubbly beginning. With the prawns, pour a crisp Champagne. We like the Franck Bonville NV Brut Sélection (France, $30), which is fruity with citrus and mineral notes.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.