Cajun fried shrimp

appetiser cajun king prawns prawns shrimp snacks spicy starter

N/A

Serves 4 as an appetiser

Ingredients

500g extra-large raw king prawns (the biggest raw king prawns in the supermarket are often in the frozen section), defrost thoroughly, peel if needed, then pat dry with kitchen paper – if buying from a fishmonger, ask them to peel and de-vein them for you

1 tbsp hot & herby Cajun spice mix (see below)

284ml tub buttermilk

100g polenta

100g cornflour

1 tsp mustard powder

4 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp hot sauce

2 tbsp paprika

4 tsp garlic powder

4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp ground black pepper

2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

Method

Stir all the ingredients for the mayo together, adding lime juice to taste. Set aside.

Coat the prawns in ½ tbsp Cajun spice mix. Decant the buttermilk into a bowl and give it a good stir to loosen slightly. In another bowl, mix the polenta, cornflour, mustard powder and remaining Cajun spice mix together.

Fill a deep frying pan 2 inches full with oil. Heat to 180C on a cooking thermometer, or until a piece of bread browns in 20 seconds when it is dropped in the oil. Dip each seasoned prawn briefly in the buttermilk then coat in the flour mixture. Fry the prawns for 1-2 mins on each side until golden brown and curled. Drain on kitchen paper, then serve with the mayo and lime wedges for squeezing over.