This grilled garlic shrimp is very delicious, plus simple to make. Jumbo or large shrimp are grilled either in their shells or with shells removed. They are marinated in a very quick and easy garlic sauce, then grilled for 5-8 minutes. Makes a perfect appetizer or main course to serve guests, and all this despite the fact it takes only minutes to make. Grilled shrimp never tasted so good!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- SERVES 2-3 for main course, OR 3-4 as an entree (together with other side dishes)
- 12 jumbo tiger shrimp (prawns), OR 16-20 large shrimp (prawns), with shells still on (do not remove!)
- optional: if your shrimp are smaller, you may need some tin foil (OR skewer the shrimp)
- garnish: handful of fresh coriander and wedges of fresh lime
- GARLIC SAUCE:
- 4 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp. oyster sauce (I use Golden Dragon Brand)
- 1 Tbsp. fish sauce (available by the bottle at all Asian/Chinese food stores)
- 2 Tbsp. loosely packed brown sugar
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. lime juice
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (can be omitted for very mild shrimp)
Preparation:
- Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Set sauce aside.
- If grilling shrimp without shells, skip the next 3 steps. To grilling the shrimp in their shells: you want to open the shrimp/prawns so they lie flat in their shells on the grill. Leaving the shell in place, hold the prawn in your hand, so that it curls naturally into your palm. Or hold the prawn on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife, make a cut from the start of the tail (leave tail on), through the middle of the "belly" and down to the end of the prawn.
- Now turn the prawn over on your cutting board (so that its back is facing up). Use your palm to flatten it out by pressing down (gently). When you're done, the prawn should lie fairly flat (don't worry if the shell loosens slightly).
- Place the prawns in a flat-bottomed bowl or dish. Pour over the BBQ sauce. Allow prawns to marinate in the sauce while you warm up the barbecue (about 5-10 minutes - no longer).
- If your prawns are jumbo, or large enough that they won't fall through the grill, simply place directly on the barbecue. If your prawns are smaller, spread a piece of tin foil or banana leaf on the grill first, then place prawns on top. OR skewer the shrimp with satay/brochette sticks.
- Baste the prawns as you cook them with a little of the left-over sauce. Grill 3-5 minutes each side. Prawns are done when the flesh turns from translucent to pinkish-white (the shells will also turn a very attractive bright pink!).
- Serve immediately off the grill (the shell actually makes them easier to eat, and a nice finger food). Simply ask your guests to peel off the shell as they eat. OR plate up the prawns, adding fresh lime (or lemon) wedges on the side and a sprinkling of fresh coriander. Excellent on their own, or served with rice. ENJOY!
