There are times that we all need a light meal and this one is my go-to dish if we’ve overindulged the day before. There are only so many cheesecakes, pavlovas, and big dinners that we can hold without exploding. I did some celebrating for the 4th of July and felt we needed something light. I made chilli prawns one night and the following night I made split pea with ham soup and crusty rolls.
While this dish isn’t the healthiest I make (it’s got butter in it) it’s wonderful to eat. Mr. Orgasmic and I shopped together and we bought prawns (shrimp) without tails. I think this dish looks better with tails. Never mind, it tasted great “tail-less”.
Once the rice is cooked (and yes, I do use a rice cooker) the meal takes less than 10 minutes to go from fridge to table. I probably shouldn’t have posted this because it’s so easy but it IS orgasmic.
Melt the butter in a skillet and add the garlic. We like a LOT of garlic but if you’re not best friends with garlic, leave it out. To me, eating is all about experiencing the joy of eating and anyone who holds their breath while they swallow something is off their rocker.
Cook the garlic on low heat for only a minute or two because frankly there’s nothing worse than burnt garlic in anything. Just my opinion. Toss in the prawns (shrimp) and stir fry in the butter til they turn pink and then pour in the sweet chilli sauce that has had a couple of drops of sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce mixed into it.
For my American friends this sweet chilli sauce is not the tomato based chili sauce you get in every grocery store. Sweet chilli sauce is used in Asian cooking and you should be able to buy it in the Asian section or Asian grocery stores.
If you have it on hand you could put spring onions (shallots) or chillies in this dish too.
Here’s what you need:
- 500g (1 lb) prawns, (shrimp) peeled and deveined
- 2 -4 large cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup sweet chilli sauce
- dash of soy sauce
- 2 drops sesame oil
- 2 tbsp coriander (cilantro roughly chopped
- Melt butter in a skillet and toss in the garlic and cook on low heat for a minute
- Add prawns (shrimp) and stir fry for just a few minutes until they turn pink
- Mix sesame oil, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce and add to prawns
- Stir to coat
- Add coriander (cilantro) and stir to combine
- Serve over rice and garnish with coriander leaves (cilantro)
Greg says
I love this recipe. It’s got a lot of flavor without being heavy. And tails, no tails, it’s still shrimp.
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos says
wow, what a savory way to marinate shrimp! love the sweet chili!
Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories says
Will the split pea with ham soup recipe be coming soon as well? I would love to make it.
Maureen says
Hi Lisa, I hadn’t planned to post the soup recipe because I figured everyone has their favorite but this was delicious. I’ll check the photos and if they are good enough, I’ll post it. If not it will have to wait til next time.
kankana says
this sounds delicious. I love shrimp and that sauce sounds so tangy sweet.
Catherine says
Dear Maureen, As I am going through visiting my dear friends this evening, I came across this meal and would love it. I am slightly hungry right now and this looks so satisfying. Thanks for your visits to my blog. I do look forward to them my friend. Have a good night. Blessings, Catherine xo
yummychunklet says
This looks great! I can handle spicy as long as there’s a good bit of sweet mixed it.
Sissi says
I am a huge fan of the sweet chili sauce! Your prawns look fabulous and so easy!
Maris(In Good Taste) says
This looks like a fancy dinner for me! Can’t wait to see the soup recipe!
Ichigo Shortcake says
I loveee prawns, can’t have enough of them! I also love sweet chilli sauce so this dish is perfect! I have some prawns left over in the fridge, maybe I’ll go make some now 😀
the good soup says
Hi Maureen, great to find you- I’m glad you like coconut cake! Well, I love sweet chilli sauce, but I’m trying to cut down on the prawns… I’m sure I could adapt this simple idea to other meats, particularly chicken breast and pork loin. Free range of course!
Maureen says
Angela, I’ve never tried this with chicken but it’s a fantastic idea! I will try it very soon. 🙂
Joanne says
I always crave really refreshing meals after a day full of serious eating and this dish would be perfect! I love sweet sauces in savory dishes!
Parsley Sage says
Always post your simple recipes. I find they’re usually the best 🙂 Lovely dish, perfect for a post holiday food-detox
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
I love sweet chili sauce and I make similar dish. I know this is a great recipe!!! Your presentation of food is beautiful too! I like how you add rice here. This goes well with rice… yummy!
Alan Cooke says
It might be easy but it looks awesome. The only down side I see is that I could eat about 10 times what’s on that plate! 🙂 Shrimp is a favorite in our house. As is garlic =)
@alanecooke
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker says
This looks so quick n easy and i think i have everything on hand! Might well be tonights meal 🙂 Recipes like this are great to have in the ol’ arsenal, thank you!
Hester Casey - Alchemy says
Maureen, this is lovely. An ‘easy’ recipe is sometimes more demanding because the ingredients have nothing to hide behind and each flavour must perform. This dish is a little star! Have a great weekend! (p.s. loved your Paris story)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Yum! This dish looks fantastic Maureen! And it’s so simple too!
claudia lamascolo says
Wow the way the light hit those shrimps make my mouth water!
Quay Po Cooks says
This looks quite simple to cook and I love prawns. Your photos convince me to try this recipe.
firma contabilitate says
Oh my God this looks so good and i`m sure that it is delicious too. I think it is not a very difficult recipe so i will give it a try, thanks a lot for sharing.
Jay says
Oh yum! That looks so good! Time to break out that 1/2 pound of shrimp we have in the freezer!
Terra says
YUM!!!! The sweet chili sauce sounds wonderful, and better then the store bought one anyday! I love butter, so you can never have too much butter right? YUM again:-)
Hugs, Terra
Annapet says
Maureen, this is beautiful and I bet yummy! I am allergic to prawns but this is something my son would love! Thank you for sharing!
Ruth says
OMG! OMG! Can’t wait.
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
Looks fantastic! So flavorful, too, my family would love this! Even the rice looks so good, love how you plated it!
sippitysup says
Tails or no tails… but please don’t apologize for the butter! GREG
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a great meal!! Such great flavors!! We love prawns 🙂
Peggy says
I love easy and delicious recipes like this! Definitely going to have to pick up some prawns at the grocery this weekend =)
Maureen says
Great @ Sippitysup — I think I love you! Butter is my BFF. 🙂
Frugal in WV says
Your picture looks delicious! My family loves seafood, this recipe is one I am going to try, thanks!
Ruby says
I’m completely addicted to sweet chilli sauce. I’m constantly on the prowl for more excuses to eat it. Thank you for giving me one! 🙂
BigFatBaker says
Looks amazing! Sweet chilli sauce can be really addicting. I think this dish would be delicious with coconut rice. Yum!!
chefchefan says
arrrgh! i love this recipe!
really look soooo delicious…now im carving for shrimp. i would tell my mom to cook shrimp tom! ahaha! thanks for sharing this…super love!
Sally the Saint says
This looks awesome! Going to have to try this for my next cookout or tailgating party.
makesushi says
You made an Excellent Dish. I’m sold with this light recipe. I love the prawns. I can’t wait to make this as soon as possible.