If they re limp, soft or have an ammonia smell then don t buy. Ensure frozen prawns are properly defrosted before heating. Cook raw prawns by dropping them into boiling salted water for a couple of minutes. It s important not to overcook them, but equally they should be cooked through. Pre-boiled prawns should be reheated gently to prevent toughening the meat.
Larger prawns are good grilled, deep-fried or barbecued.
Common pink prawns are best eaten cold with lemon juice and some brown bread and butter, or with mayonnaise as part of a salad. In the USA prawns are invariably known as shrimp. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Slice along the backs of the head to tail so you can remove the veins. Sprinkle the prawns with a pinch of salt and a twist of black pepper and add to the hot oil.