Camarão Grelhado com Piri-Piri (Mozambican Grilled Piri-Piri Prawns)
Local name: Camarão grelhado
In short: Large prawns split and marinated in garlic, lemon, olive oil and piri-piri chili, then grilled in the shell until pink and smoky. Eaten with your hands. It takes about 28 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 28 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Grilled prawns are a signature of the Mozambican coast, sold shell-on from beach restaurants and market grills in Maputo. They are split along the back, marinated in garlic, lemon, oil and piri-piri and cooked over hot coals for just a few minutes. Diners peel them at the table, with bread or rice to soak up the garlicky, spicy juices. Use the biggest prawns you can find, and have plenty of napkins ready.
Instructions
- With kitchen scissors, snip along the back of each prawn shell and pull out the dark vein, leaving the shell on.
- Mix the garlic, chilies, lemon juice, oil, salt, paprika and coriander in a large bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the marinade for basting. Add the prawns to the bowl and toss until well coated, then marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes, no longer.
- Heat a grill or a heavy ridged pan to high. Thread the prawns onto skewers if you like, so they are easy to turn.
- Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the shells are bright pink and the flesh is opaque and curled. Brush the reserved marinade over the prawns during the last minute.
- Pile the prawns on a platter with lemon wedges and serve at once, with rice or bread and a bowl for the shells.
Tips
- Keep the shells on. They protect the delicate flesh from the heat and add flavor to the juices.
- Do not marinate for more than 30 minutes. The lemon juice starts to firm the flesh and makes it mushy.
- Never baste with marinade that has touched raw prawns. Set some aside before adding the prawns.
Questions and answers
How do I know when prawns are done?
The shells turn bright pink and the flesh becomes opaque and white. They curl into a loose C shape, while a tight O means they are overcooked.
Can I cook them in a pan or the oven?
Yes. Sear them in a very hot skillet for 2 minutes per side, or broil on a tray 6 cm (2 1/2 in) from the heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
What do you serve with grilled prawns?
Rice, xima, fries or crusty bread for the juices, with lemon wedges and extra piri-piri sauce.
How long does it take to make Camarão Grelhado com Piri-Piri (Mozambican Grilled Piri-Piri Prawns)?
About 28 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Camarão Grelhado com Piri-Piri (Mozambican Grilled Piri-Piri Prawns)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
