With the tails intact- usually means that this part of the prawn has not been cleaned or peeled. For dishes where you would want the consumer to eat the prawns by hand you might want the tails intact(so they can be discarded more easily.)
Tails intact is done mainly for etiquette purposes. When prawns are served with the tails intact, it is a note to the person being served that it is acceptable to eat said prawns by hand. If you hold onto the tail with your fingers (think pinching motion), you can easily pull the prawn from the tail and get the most out of the prawn.
In some cases it is for presentation purposes only. But also remember that there is a lot of flavor under the shells of shrimp. Keep this in mind when you are cooking them. If you shell the shrimp before cooking, reserve the shells and use them to make a shrimp stock.
Answers
May 31, 2011
With the tails intact- usually means that this part of the prawn has not been cleaned or peeled. For dishes where you would want the consumer to eat the prawns by hand you might want the tails intact(so they can be discarded more easily.)
June 1, 2011
Tails intact is done mainly for etiquette purposes. When prawns are served with the tails intact, it is a note to the person being served that it is acceptable to eat said prawns by hand. If you hold onto the tail with your fingers (think pinching motion), you can easily pull the prawn from the tail and get the most out of the prawn.
June 5, 2011
the tails will also impart additional flavor in the shrimp
June 9, 2011
In some cases it is for presentation purposes only. But also remember that there is a lot of flavor under the shells of shrimp. Keep this in mind when you are cooking them. If you shell the shrimp before cooking, reserve the shells and use them to make a shrimp stock.