There is no time of year when we put our utmost effort and enthusiasm into crafting a menu that delights and surprises our guests quite like Christmas. It isn’t easy, and even more so in today’s climate, to find delicious recipes with a festive touch without breaking the bank. Generally, we try to include ingredients that are a touch more special, those that elevate any dish to the next level and lend it a luxurious edge, such as gulas or smoked salmon. And, did you know you can make smoked salmon at home?
Other ingredients that will help you here are prawns and prawns, which, like seafood in general (and almost everything else), tend to rise in popularity at Christmas. A smart way to save is to buy them a few weeks ahead and freeze them until you intend to use them, or simply buy them peeled and frozen. But can they thaw well? Of course. Take note of what follows and you’ll see how well they turn out.
Cómo cocinar gambas congeladas
Generally, when thawing foods, it is recommended to do so in the fridge and with plenty of time to keep things as natural as possible. If you plan to use the prawns immediately, you might be interested to know that you can do it quickly and easily. All you need to do is place them in a sieve, turn on the tap and rub them gently against each other to help shed any frost.
The next step is to pat them dry on kitchen paper, sprinkle a little salt and give them a light massage to help them regain their texture and firmness so they stay juicier. Remove the excess salt and dry them again with absorbent paper. It’s important that they are completely dry, or in a hot pan they will steam rather than sear.
Then you simply have to follow the instructions of the recipe you are preparing. Pay close attention to the cooking time: if you go over, they’ll become dry and with an unpleasant texture. The best guide is the colour they take on.
Some prawns recipes for this Christmas
Now that you know the trick for cooking frozen prawns, you simply need ideas for dishes that make them shine. Canapés are always a handy option, but we’re proposing options that are a little more substantial for starters or first courses.
The first would be prawn salad, very typical of Cádiz bars and one of those dishes that pleases everyone. Note that it needs around two hours of chilling in the fridge to set properly.
Similarly, the cold prawn and langoustine loaf is another recipe that always goes down well. Not only is it delicious, but because it can be prepared in advance you can avoid last-minute stress. It also includes tuna and a delicious avocado mayonnaise.
We finish with the prawn or langoustine ceviche with avocado and lime, a refreshing and very special flavour combination for these Christmas celebrations.
