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Brian Topping created this finger licking starter of prawn stew reimagining a recipe first published by Hannah Glasse in 1777 "to Stew Prawns, Shrimps, or Crayfish". Brian has given us a stunning performance with all three recipes he has reimanging and cooked for us so far and we're absolutley thrilled and honoured to have this gifted self-taught home cook on board. We really hope you enjoy Brian's entrée for our Christmas menu.

You find local fishmongers and seafood shops in and around Dublin on our google map of fishmongers here. We update this map whenever we can, but it is by no means exhaustive and if you can't find your local or favourite seafood shop here or you're a fishmonger who would like to be added, please get in touch and we will update our map. If you buy your seafood for the recipe of the month at Sustainable Seafood Ireland they will give you a 10% discount. Simply email us to get your discount code.

After you tried the delicious prawn stew, please don't forget to complete our quick Questionnaire. Even if you haven't actually made the dish it is invaluable for us to get your input to progress our research. Thank you very much! Enjoy your seafood experience!

Dublin Bay Prawns & sourdough toast

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Click for prawn sustainability info

Click on the prawn to find out about its history and ecology.

Dublin Bay Prawns with white wine, garlic and buyer sauce, grilled sourdough toast

by Brian Topping

prep: 20mins; cook: 100mins; difficulty level: easy; serves 1-2

Ingredients

  • 6-8 whole Dublin Bay prawns
  • 150ml dry white wine
  • 1 blade of mace (nutmeg can be used alternatively)
  • 1 pinch of nutmeg (use 2 pinches if you haven't got mace)
  • 25g unsalted butter + extra for spreading on bread
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp of plain flour
  • 3 tbsp of chopped flat leaf parsley
  • seas salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 bowl of cold water with a few ice cubes
  • 1 slice of sourdough bread

Method

  1. Bring a large saucepan of heavily salted water to a rolling boil.
  2. Drop in the Dublin Bay prawns and cook for 3-4 mins then remove and place in bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process.
  3. When cool enough to handle pat dry and remove tail meat by splitting shells being careful to keep meat intact. Remove the black digestive tract running down the back of the prawn meat and set aside.
  4. In a pan heat the dry white wine with a pinch of nutmeg and a blade of mace, 2 cloves of finely chopped or grated garlic and reduce the liquid by half.
  5. Add the butter until incorporated into the sauce.
  6. Sift 1 teaspoon of plain flour into the liquid and cook for 2-3 mins on low simmer until sauce thickens.
  7. Then add the prawn tail meat and heat through on low heat for a few mins to warm through.
  8. In the meantime, rub the bread with a clove of garlic and butter on both sides. Place the bread in a griddle pan and heat on medium to high heat until it is crips and golden on both sides.
  9. When the prawn tail meat is warmed through, adding the chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Serve immediately.
To Serve

Garnish with a slice of lemon. Enjoy!

Don't forget to complete our Questionnaire (5-10 mins)

Take part in our monthly social media competition for best pic/post and win a €20 voucher for Sustainable Seafood Ireland. Simply upload your pic/post to twitter or instagram and tag us @foodsmartdublin.

Recent Recipes

Below you will find all the recipes we cooked. You can cook them anytime until they are out of season. Information on the seasons can be found in the sustainability section of each recipe or in our seasonality summary chart. Enjoy your sustainable seafood!

January - Pan-fried Hake

February - Niall's Fish Curry

March - Baked Scallops

April - Potted Crab

May - Cod Head Terrine.

June - Pan roasted megrim sole.

July - Samphire Chowder.

August - Mackerel with Rhubard and Gooseberry Relish

September - Oyster soup in bread cups

October - Pickled Cockles & Mussels

November - Prawn stew starter

December - Smoked Mackerel & Potato Salad