The star of this dish is actually New Zealand Manuka Honey. The delicate flesh of the prawn comes a close second. When you combine these two foods with garlic, toasted sesame seeds and the subtle fire of a mild red chilli, you get the most divine finger-lickin’ flavours possible.
With all of my recipes I try to keep them simple, easy and healthy. The health properties of active manuka honey are incredible. The honey is produced from the manuka and kanuka plants. It is of a dark colour and has a herby, woody flavour. When smeared all over a prawn, it’s delicious.
In the old days the leaves from the manuka and kanuka trees were made into tea, so often you will hear these trees referred to as tea tree.
For this dish, always add the honey at the last minute and allow it to slightly caramelise without overcooking it. This way the goodness of the honey is retained so not only does it taste amazing, it’s very good for you.
The toasted sesame seeds give rise to a nutty flavour and the powerful distinctive aroma of the humble garlic works beautifully into the dish. The red of the chilli floating in the warm liquid honey, and the squeeze of a juicy lime on serving this dish, completes a symphony of sweet flavours and tastes that are out of this world.
This dish is to die for! Believe me.
Garlic toasted sesame seeds and honey prawns
Of all the ways to have prawns, this is my favourite. Serves 4
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil
500 g large raw prawns
3 cloves garlic, fi nely chopped
3 tablespoons manuka honey
1 fresh chilli, finely chopped
• Heat a dry fry pan. Add sesame seeds and stir till golden (1–2 minutes). Remove from the pan.
• Pour olive oil into hot pan and add prawns. Cook until they start to turn orange. Add garlic and sesame seeds, toss for 1 or 2 minutes only — do not overcook. Remove from the heat, pour honey over the mix,
then toss.
• Put prawns on a platter and sprinkle chilli over for colour.
