HOW TO
cook shellfish
Most seafood such as prawns, shrimps, mussels, and clams should be cooked to an internal temperature of 63°C.
how to cook prawns
Prawns should be cooked minimally, because they can get dry and rubbery if overcooked.
Cooking time: Stir-fry (2-6 minutes according to size), grill or barbecue (3-4 minute per side), or
poach (3-10 minutes, according to size).
How to prepare prawns:
The simplest way to cook prawns is to use a combination of garlic, butter, lemon and chilli.
You can also marinate the prawns for an hour in a marinate of your choice before cooking, or use it in a seafood curry or paella.
how to cook shrimp
Cooking time: 3-4 minutes for small shrimps
How to prepare: Shrimp are commonly prepared by steaming, simmering, sautéing, grilling or poaching.
Shrimp will become firm and clear when cooked.
how to cook mussels
Cooking time: 6-10 minutes
How to prepare: Mussels are commonly steamed, but mussel meat can also be fried.
A much-loved flavour pairing with mussels is the combination of garlic, onions/shallots, white wine and parsley.
Steam the mussels until the shells open and remember to discard those that don’t open.
Try our herby crumbed half-shell mussels recipe or mussel meat & leek risotto topped with prawns
how to cook clams
Clams are used in chowders, soups and stews. Smaller clams can be eaten raw or steamed. Larger clams can be stewed, braised or deep-fried.
Cooking time: Steam for 7-9 minutes
How to prepare: The shells open during cooking, but remember to throw out those that don’t open as they are spoiled.
[Link] Try our clam meat in a sweet chilli sauce or soy-dressed steamed clams recipes.
COOKING TIP: How to make the most flavoursome paella.
From the set of VIA’s Kookpunt, Chef Chris Erasmus shares his top tip for cooking paella – and it ensures that the seafood flavour thoroughly infuses into your dish.
