Dancing Prawns

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Minced garlic

2 tablespoons Minced shallot

1 teaspoon Minced fresh galangal or ginger

1 tablespoon Minced lemon grass

Salt

1 tablespoon Each, lemon juice, soy sauce

2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

12 lrgs Or jumbo shrimp, preferably whole

Orange or apple

Coriander sprigs, lime wedges for garnish

Preparation

I*think* this came from Sunset Magazine. There's nothing hot in the ingredient list, but it would be real easy to put some cayenne or mashed up chili peppers in the marinade. Probably more authentic as well.

This attractive Thai presentation looks best with shrimp with their heads still attached. Try it with large tiger prawns or fresh carids. Pound the garlic, shallot, galangal and lemon grass to a paste in a mortar with a pinch of salt. Transfer to a shallow bowl and stir in the lemon juice, soy sauce and wine.

Using a small knife or scissors, split the shrimp shells down the back, but leave attached. (If the heads are present, carefully separate the shell where the tail joins the head, then split the tail shell open.) Devein if necessary. Toss in the marinade and let stand for 30 minutes to 3 hours.

Thread single shrimp lengthwise on skewers, starting at the tail end and coming out through the head. Push the skewer on through until the pointed end extends at least 3 inches beyond the shrimp.

Handling by the pointed ends, grill until the meat is opaque. To serve, place the orange or apple cut side down on a plate and insert the pointed ends of the skewers. Garnish with coriander sprigs and lime wedges.

Serves 4 as an appetizer or side dish.