Description
These smoked paprika prawn skewers are a flavorful and quick seafood dish featuring juicy prawns marinated in a blend of smoked Spanish paprika, garlic, cumin, oregano, and fresh lemon. Perfectly pan-fried to a tender finish, they make a delicious appetizer or main course with a vibrant, smoky taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Prawns and Marinade
- 12 large raw prawns
- ½ tbsp smoked Spanish paprika (sweet or hot, as preferred)
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground
- A couple of oregano sprigs, leaves finely chopped, or ½ tsp dried oregano
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Additional
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 10 minutes)
- Salt and pepper, to season
Instructions
- Prepare the Skewers and Prawns: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. Meanwhile, peel the prawns, leaving the tails intact, and devein them by making a shallow incision down the back to remove the black vein. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, combine smoked paprika, finely chopped garlic, toasted and ground cumin seeds, chopped oregano leaves, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well to create a fragrant marinade.
- Marinate the Prawns: Add the cleaned prawns to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Leave the prawns to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
- Skewer the Prawns: Thread one marinated prawn onto each soaked skewer carefully, ensuring they are secure but not overcrowded.
- Cook the Prawns: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a spacious frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the skewered prawns for 3-4 minutes in total, turning once halfway through, until they are just cooked and exhibit a pink, opaque color. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Season and Serve: Season the cooked prawns with salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving to add brightness and enhance the smoky flavors.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the prawns as they can become tough and rubbery quickly.
- Using fresh smoked paprika will yield the best smoky flavor, but you can adjust between sweet or hot paprika depending on your spice preference.
- Soaking the skewers prevents them from burning during cooking.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Keywords: prawn skewers, smoked paprika, seafood appetizer, quick prawn recipe, garlic prawns, Spanish paprika prawns
