Shrimp
FridgePrawns are small crustaceans that are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Broiled, grilled, fried, or sauteed—there are plenty of ways to enjoy them, and they can add a bit of substance to a variety of dishes. But, what exactly is a prawn, and are they the same or different from shrimp? Prawns are frequently confused with shrimp and the names are often used interchangeably, but the two are in fact different. How so? Is it their size, where they’re from, or something else? Aside from both of them being decapods with an exoskeleton and ten legs, it turns out, when you take a closer look, prawns are quite different from shrimp—at least from a biological standpoint. Prawns belong to the sub-order Dendrobranchiata and shrimp belong to the sub-order Pleocyemata. Their gills, claws, pincers, and body structure all differ. Prawns are typically larger than shrimp, although this isn’t always the case, and only live in fresh water. Shrimp, on the other hand, live in both fresh and salt water, and actually, the colder the water, the smaller the shrimp! But when it comes to consuming them, the difference in taste between a prawn and a shrimp isn’t very noticeable at all. Because of this, they can be used interchangeably in recipes. When it comes to cooking with prawns, your best bet is to buy them fresh rather than frozen. Frozen prawns, as well as shrimp, can have a rubbery, tough texture. Prawns can be cooked with or without their shells intact. Whichever way you cook them, they will cook quite fast. For instance, when sauteing, you’ll only need to cook them for about 2-6 minutes depending on their size. Stir fry them in a buttery garlic sauce or mix them into a spicy fried rice. However you enjoy them, prawns are a great way to add some extra bite to your dish.
Shrimp nutrition and vitamin info per 100g
Energy | 146 | kcal |
Total Fat | 6.670000076293945 | g |
Carbohydrate Total | 4.900000095367432 | g |
Sugars | 0.07000000029802322 | g |
Protein | 15.5 | g |
Sodium | 348 | mg |
Fiber | 0.20000000298023224 | g |
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Shrimp cooking tips
- Samsung Food
Prawns can be cooked with shell on or off.
- Samsung Food
Fresh prawns are more flavorful once cooked compared to those that have been frozen.