Butterfly Prawns - back or belly

[Roger Burton]

Hi chaps, I bought some nice prawns (sadly frozen though raw) and thought I'd butterfly them, looking on the net there seems to be two techniques, one cut through the back and the other through the belly the back seems better to me as you are able to find and remove the poo tube. Also some discard the head others not, again I like the idea of keeping the head as the contents are tasty when cooked ... so can anyone with more experience than me offer their advice please ?

 

[Morning Glory]

If they are shell on which I think they must be then do it like this to keep the head.

Butterflying prawns - BBC Food

 

[Morning Glory]

Having thought more I'm now thinking this way is better! It seems to keep the head meat more neatly.

View: https://youtu.be/_TB3pSoKOxo

 

[caseydog]

I cut the back, and as you mention, remove the poo-tube at the same time. I buy my frozen shrimp/prawns shell on, heads off. So, I can peel the shell, butterfly and de-vein the shrimp all at once.

CD

 

[CraigC]

If they were frozen with heads on, the fat can go rancid, depending on how long they were frozen. If there is any discoloration in the heads remove them and toss them.

 

[Roger Burton]

Excellent chaps, I tried through the back and it seems pretty good, thanks.

 

[rascal]

I want some Japanese fried prawns now.

Russ