Crispy Cereal Prawns

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) large prawns, deveined and shells removed 500g (1.1 lb) large prawns, deveined and shells removed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup cereal flakes (such as cornflakes or rice flakes) 1 cup cereal flakes (such as cornflakes or rice flakes)
• 1 sprig of curry leaves 1 sprig of curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (for cereal mixture) 1/2 teaspoon salt (for cereal mixture)
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (Sugar: 5g)
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, chili powder, turmeric powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Pat dry the prawns with a paper towel and place them in a separate bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the prawns and toss until they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for 15 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Dredge each marinated prawn in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
4. 4.
   Crush the cereal flakes into small pieces and set aside.
5. 5.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the prawns in batches and fry until they turn golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the prawns from the pan and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
6. 6.
   In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the curry leaves and stir-fry for a minute until fragrant.
7. 7.
   Add the crushed cereal flakes, sugar, salt, and chili flakes (if using) to the pan. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the cereal is evenly coated with the butter mixture and turns golden brown.
8. 8.
   Return the fried prawns to the pan and toss them gently with the cereal mixture until they are well coated.
9. 9.
   Transfer the Crispy Cereal Prawns to a serving plate and garnish with additional curry leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Prawns — Ensure that the prawns are fresh and deveined properly for the best taste and texture.
• Curry leaves — Use fresh curry leaves for their distinct aroma and flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with dried curry leaves, but the taste may differ slightly.
• Cereal flakes — Opt for unsweetened cereal flakes such as cornflakes or rice flakes to maintain the balance of flavors in the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of spice, add a pinch of chili flakes to the cereal mixture.
• Serve the Crispy Cereal Prawns immediately after cooking to maintain their crispiness.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder and chili flakes.
• Experiment with different types of cereal flakes to add variety to the dish.
• To make the dish more visually appealing, garnish with fresh herbs or sliced red chilies.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Cereal Prawns as a main course accompanied by steamed rice or as part of a larger spread of Singaporean dishes. Provide small bowls of chili sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Crispy Cereal Prawns on a platter, garnish with fresh curry leaves, and sprinkle some extra crushed cereal flakes on top for an attractive presentation. Serve with a side of steamed rice and colorful vegetables to create a visually appealing and well-balanced meal.