Instructions: Most prawns in this country are sold cooked either shelled or unshelled. If at all possible try to get large uncooked prawns known as Pactfic or king prawns for Chinese cooking. Most Chinese grocers and many fishmongers and supermarkets stock them frozen and in the shell and they are quite reasonably priced. If you can only get cooked pink prawns buy the biggest and best you can find and cook them just long enough to heat them through.

To peel prawns First twist off the head and pull off the tail. It should then be quite easy to peel off the shell and with it the tiny legs. If you are using large uncooked king prawns make a shallow cut down the back of each prawn and remove the fine digestive cord which runs the length of the prawn. Wash the prawns before you use them.

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