Spot Prawn Boil Do’s and Don’ts

We were lucky enough to gobble up some of the first spot prawns of the season last month at The Blackbird Pub. The Donnelly Group’s head Chef Glavas put on a massive spot prawn boil and it was superb! We asked for his tips to share with you.

Spot Prawn Boil Tips

Always pick up your prawns day of the boil so they are still alive. Go to Granville island and buy right off the pier.

You can any blanch your potatoes in heavy salted water ( almost like sea water ) first as they take the longest, then add your corn on the cob.

Add green beans only for 90 seconds.

Grill the chorizo sausage separate as it does have a strong flavour profile .

Once you have all your potatoes, vegetables and sausage ready , drop your prawns last. Put everything in a big bowl and pour out on your plastic covered table.

The spot prawn blanching water
Water amount depends on size of your pot, and heavily salt. Add rough chopped onions, carrots and celery . Then a tablespoon of peppercorns and 3 bay leaves. Bring to a boil then your ready to add your spot prawns. The prawns take 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Once the have curled up there ready. Using a wired strainer remove your prawns .

Try different flavour butters on the side. I make a Cajun butter , lemon dill butter and a garlic basil butter.  They compliment the boil without overpowering the star of the dinner the spot prawn.

Mike Glavas Regional Operations Chef Donnelly Group
Follow him on twitter @MgGlavas