- Why became prawn chewy?
- You overcooked it. Prawn needs only few minutes. If "C" shape, it's perfect, if "O" shape (curls round), it's overcooked.
- Can I use frozen prawns?
- Yes, but defrost completely and wipe dry before frying, otherwise it will steam.
Baja-style prawn tacos (camaron)
Prawn (camarón) muscle consists of fast-twitch fibres, which harden in moments under heat. Secret of perfect taco is quick frying of prawn on high heat (sauté) and timing of acidic (lime) marinade. Important: acid "cooks" (denatures) protein (ceviche effect), so it must touch only after frying or immediately at serving.
Ingredients
500
g
Prawns (raw, peeled, tail off)
10
pcs
Corn tortillas
1
tsp
Ground cumin
1
tsp
Smoked paprika
1
clove
Garlic (crushed)
2
tbsp
Olive oil
150
g
Red cabbage (shredded hair-thin)
100
g
Sour cream
1
tbsp
Mayonnaise
1
tsp
Chipotle sauce (or hot pepper)
1
bunch
Fresh coriander
2
pcs
Lime
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Wide frying pan
- Citrus juicer
- Mixing bowl
Allergen Information
Crustaceans
Milk
Eggs
Instructions
1
✓
Prepare sauce: Mix sour cream, mayonnaise and chipotle sauce.
Tip: Fatty sauce balances dryness of prawn and rawness of cabbage.
2
✓
Pat prawns dry with kitchen paper, then toss with oil, cumin, paprika and garlic. Do not salt beforehand!
Tip: Moisture is enemy of frying. If prawn is wet, it won't brown, only boil. Salt would draw water out, so salt only when frying.
3
✓
In hot pan fry prawns 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Salt them.
Tip: Remove immediately from pan, because residual heat cooks them further.
4
✓
Warm tortillas, fill with fresh cabbage, fried prawns, drizzle with sauce, and squeeze lime over.
Tip: Crunchy texture of cabbage is essential contrast next to soft prawn.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 500 g Prawns (raw, peeled, tail off)
- 10 pcs Corn tortillas
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 clove Garlic (crushed)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 150 g Red cabbage (shredded hair-thin)
- 100 g Sour cream
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Chipotle sauce (or hot pepper)
- 1 bunch Fresh coriander
- 2 pcs Lime