Il Cucinologo
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King Prawns, Red Mullet, Speck and Potatoes

17/11/2023

Here is a recipe that combines king prawns, red mullet, speck and potatoes, creating a rich and flavorful dish that blends sea and land flavors.

Ingredients

  • 4 fresh cleaned king prawns
  • 2 red mullets, filleted and deboned
  • 100 g speck cut into strips
  • 4 medium potatoes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Chopped parsley to taste
  • Lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Start by washing and peeling the potatoes, then cut them into medium-sized cubes. Place them in a pot with salted water and bring to a boil until the potatoes are tender but still firm.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the garlic clove. Let the garlic brown then remove it.
  3. Add the red mullet fillets and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, remove them from the skillet and keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet, add the speck strips and let them brown until crispy.
  5. In another skillet, cook the king prawns with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, deglazing with a little lemon juice halfway through cooking.
  6. Add the boiled potatoes to the crispy speck in the skillet and let them absorb the flavors for a couple of minutes, stirring gently.
  7. To plate, arrange a bed of potatoes and speck, place the red mullet on top and finish with the king prawns.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and drizzle with a swirl of extra virgin olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice.

Some Italian variants may include the use of typical ingredients such as adding a touch of Genoese pesto on the potatoes, which pairs well with the sea flavors, or using raw ham instead of speck for a more delicate flavor.

Fun Facts

King prawns are crustaceans highly appreciated in cooking for their tender and tasty meat. In Italy they are particularly used in coastal regions, where they are found fresh and prepared in various ways: grilled, pan-fried or as an ingredient for tasty first courses.