Curried prawns in agar agar and how to pluck a hen
I’ve had quite a relaxing week because The Noisy One has been away on a sailing trip. I expect he’ll be quite hoarse by the time he gets home from barking orders at adjacent boats (did you like my animal imagery there?). Anyway, it’s nice to have some time off from being shot at and tackled to the ground. There has been one thing that’s been bothering me a bit though: two of the hens are nesting (and very unpleasant they’re being about it too), which leaves one hen wandering around alone looking a bit pathetic; even more so than usual ;-). I’ve been trying to keep her spirits up by grabbing her for a cuddle and an affectionate chew of her wings, but I just get yelled at by old Bossy Boots. Life can be very complicated sometimes *doggie sigh*.
Ingredients (makes 6 mini terrines)
250g frozen prawns
juice of half a lemon
25g butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
150ml fish stock
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 shallot, chopped
1 bay leaf
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 tablespoon mango chutney
4 fresh basil leaves
4g Agar-Agar powder
Place the prawns steeped in lemon juice in a frying pan and add the olive oil and butter. Fry gently, gradually adding all the other ingredients with the exception of the Agar-Agar and basil leaves. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the prawns are cooked through and the liquid partly evaporated. Once cooked, add the basil, blend briefly in a food processor and set aside. Dissolve the Agar-Agar in a small amount of water and bring to the boil (according to the instructions on the packet). Once boiled, add to the prawn mixture and distribute into moulds (I used silicon muffin moulds). Compact the mixture well. Refrigerate for at least a couple of hours and serve chilled.
Health benefits of agar agar
Agar is a good source of calcium and iron, and is very high in fiber. It is an excellent aid in digestion and weight loss and also carries toxic waste out of the body. Other benefits include its ability to reduce inflammation, calm the liver, and benefit the lungs.
15 Comments
apuginthekitchen
Hugo, must say your communication skills are stellar and you are quite the connoisseur. Must say though you must listen to Old Bossy Boots, nibbling on the chickens wings will not endear you them,
Seriously love the curriend prawn molds, perfect for a hot summers day, love it!
Woof!!!
The Healthy Epicurean
Hello Mrs Apug –
Thank you for your comment but I still don’t really understand why nibbling the chicken’s wings is not on – it’s one of Léo’s favourite dishes – in fact Bossy made them for him this evening when he got home. Please say ‘woof’ to Izzy and Nando from me. They’ll understand.
Hugo
apuginthekitchen
LOL!!! Hugo you crack me up, just accept it bossy boots rules!! Saying woof to the pugs for you.
The Healthy Epicurean
That’s what she’s always telling me – I’m yet to be convinced though 🙂
Fig & Quince
Bossyboots and Hugo … I smell a children’s story!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you F&Q 🙂 I think we’d fight over the keyboard though…
gotasté
This is such an extraordinary and creative recipe! I love it all especially with the use of agar agar instead of other setting agents.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you so much Danny 🙂 I love agar agar – it has so much scope for creativity and is really healthy at the same time…
gotasté
can’t agree more 🙂
Martyn Oliver
I’m going to try these too. We have a picnic – more of a yardnic – coming up at the weekend, and if the weather holds I think they’d go down a treat. However, we don’t have, and are not likely to have by then, fish stock. Do you think very dry white wine might substitute?
The Healthy Epicurean
Hi Martyn! I think that white wine would work quite well probably, although you could use a bit of vegetable stock or chicken stock too possibly. I always think that prawns are quite bland and need jazzing up a bit. I do hope the weather holds for your yarding. By the way, my parents found some spelt bread at a bread shop in Clapham…
Martyn Oliver
White wine it is, then. And the weather looks good for saturday. Thanks! Did they like the bread? I hope so. That reminds me – I should take some out of the freezer in time for lunch today.
The Healthy Epicurean
I hope you like them – I would be interested to hear your feedback on using white wine. Hope the weather’s good. They really liked the spelt bread. 🙂
annelifaiers
These look so dainty and smart. Very elegant little starter for Summer. Bookmarked! Thanks x
The Healthy Epicurean
Thanks Anneli – They do make a nice fresh starter in the Summer. 🙂