Don’t mind me, I’m just dreaming of Italy. This Sicilian-inspired prawn pasta recipe is pasta-bly my favourite at the moment. It’s so easy and comes together quickly, which is perfect for those days when you don’t want to fuss around the kitchen too much.
By: Zainab Dokrat (@SpicyFusionKitchen)
INGREDIENTS
500g Peeled and Deveined Prawns (Medium Sized)
1 – 2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp Freshly Minced Garlic 1 – 2 Tbsp Red Chili Paste Pinch of Saffron
1 Cup Tomato Puree
1 Grated Tomato
2 tsp Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp Sweet Dry Basil
1/2 tsp Paprika
Pinch of Salt
250g Spaghetti/Linguine
Garnish – Freshly Chopped Basil or Dry Basil Serve With – Croutons
METHOD
- The sauce and prawns will cook quickly, especially if everything is prepped before you start cooking. I suggest boiling your spaghetti and setting it aside.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan on medium heat for a few seconds before adding 1/2 Tbsp of the freshly minced garlic.
- Braise for about a minute. Once the garlic softens and caramelises, add the red chilli paste and keep stirring as it cooks for another minute.
- Next, stir a few saffron strands into the chilli garlic paste.
- Add the tomato puree and grated tomato quickly, stirring them in. Then, simmer at
Medium temperature for 1 – 2 minutes.
- Once it bubbles, add the tomato paste, followed by the other 1/2 Tbsp of the freshly crushed garlic.
- Let the sauce simmer for 1 – 2 minutes before mixing the prawns. Then, add 1/4 cup of water and basil.
- Let the prawns cook for 5 – 10 minutes at a medium temperature (be careful not to overcook the prawns); your sauce will thicken up.
- When the prawns are cooked, add the boiled spaghetti, mix it with the sauce and prawns, and cook for another couple of seconds so all the flavours fuse.
- Finally, garnish with freshly chopped basil (or dry basil) and serve with croutons.
