Defrosting prawns

[mkjuk]

I have been defrosting large frozen prawns from the local chinese supermarket by putting them loose in warm water for about ten mins but the texture seems a little chewy. Is there a better way?

[maxi2]

The best way to defrost prawns (and most other foods) is as slowly as possible, either in the fridge overnight or at room temperature.

[BBWCHATT]

http://www.helpwithcooking.com/seafood-shellfi sh/how-to-cook-shrimp-prawn.html

In order to defrost frozen prawns or shrimp, remove the shellfish from their original packaging and place them in a bowl. Cover the bowl and then leave the shellfish to defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

For a more rapid method, wrap the prawns or shrimp tightly in waterproof packaging, for example cling film and place the package into a sink full of cold water. 1lb of frozen prawns or shrimp should defrost in about an hour using this method.

[Zeddy]

NEVER defrost prawns overnight at room temp.
Unless you want food poisoning.

[Figi]

Only one way to retain taste and texture and not make you ill- and that's in the fridge overnight.

[heathfield]

I just run hot water from the tap over them. Takes seconds, and both texture and taste are fine.
(And the larger the prawns are, the more firm and 'chewy' they will be).

[funnygirl]

Blimey Heathfield, you are still alive and with no food poisoning??!!

[The Big Gill]

I think maybe there's a little confusion over whether the prawns are cooked or uncooked.

[MatildaK]

i worked as a kitchen hand in a resturant. we used to put them in a sieve, sieve on top of a basin (to balance it) then run under luck warm water! worked a treat