Tiger Prawns And Polyphenol Rich Olive Oil: The Perfect Summer Match
Updated 28th July 2022
Tiger prawns and extra virgin olive oil are two of the most popular ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine. But did you know that they are also a perfect match? Tiger prawns are a lean source of protein with a delicate flavor, while extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy unsaturated fats and antioxidants. Together, they make a delicious and nutritious combination.
Why Choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil you can get. Genuine extra virgin olive oil is rare and as a result is slightly more expensive.
The chemical characteristics of extra virgin olive oil (as with all vegetable oils) give an indication of the care with which it was made and stored: how the fruit was grown, transported and harvested, how it was pressed into oil, and how the oil was packaged and bottled. Stringent chemical analysis also helps to determine if the oil is adulterated in any way. The chemical standards for extra virgin olive oil are the highest of all the grades and, as such, offer a guarantee of quality and the best match for your tiger prawns!
Instructions
- 280g linguine pasta
- 200g sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 2 tbsp Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 large red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 24 raw king prawns, peeled
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- Mixed salad leaves and crusty white bread, to serve
Lime Dressing
- 2 tbsp virtually fat-free fromage frais
- Grated zest and juice of 2 limes
- 2 tsp golden caster sugar
Instructions
- To make the dressing, mix 2 tbsp virtually fat-free fromage frais, the grated zest and juice of 2 limes and 2 tsp golden caster sugar in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook 280g linguine pasta according to the packet instructions. Add 200g trimmed sugar snap peas for the last minute or so of cooking time.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a wok or big frying pan, toss in 2 finely chopped large garlic cloves and 1 deseeded and finely chopped large red chilli and cook over a fairly gentle heat for about 30 seconds without letting the garlic brown.
- Tip in 24 peeled raw king prawns and cook over a high heat, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until they turn pink.
- Add 12 halved cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes until they just start to soften.
- Drain the linguine pasta and sugar snap peas well, then toss into the prawn mixture.
- Tear in a handful of basil leaves, stir, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve Linguine chilli prawns with mixed salad leaves drizzled with the lime dressing, and warm crusty white bread.
Why Choose Tiger Prawns?
Continuing he search for delicious, ‘hearth healthy’ dishes that complement the many health benefits of Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Because of their many nutritional benefits, prawns are considered by a variety of health experts to be among the healthiest foods in the world. Prawns are a great source of high quality protein, and provide some of the most important vitamins and minerals that make up a healthy diet. They are surprisingly low in calories and are made up of extremely healthy cholesterol.
An excellent source of protein, tiger prawns provide all the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle. They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure and improving cognitive function. In addition, tiger prawns are low in calories and contain no cholesterol. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and healthy seafood option, reach for some tiger prawns.
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating prawns is part of a heart healthy diet. And because they are common throughout the world, there are healthy prawn dishes within almost every style or type of cuisine.
Eating prawns regularly will provide the following nutritional benefits:
- Eating prawns provides a complete protein, which means it includes all nine amino acids in the right proportion for the body to function properly. In fact, 100 grams of prawns contains about 25 grams of protein, approximately the same as a similar amount of chicken or beef.
- Prawns are extremely low in calories. The same 100 grams of prawns contains only about 115 calories. Chicken contains about twice as much and beef three times as much.
- While prawns contain higher than average amounts of cholesterol, they do not lead to higher cholesterol levels in the body due to their healthy fat profile. This is because they contain almost three times more Omega 3 Fatty Acid than they do Omega 6 Fatty Acid. Studies have shown that foods with high amounts of Omega 3 are associated with reduced risk of heart attacks and lower blood pressure. In fact, the cholesterol contained in prawns is vital for a healthy diet.
- Prawns are a great source of Vitamins B-6, B-12 and Niacin, which help the body produce energy, build muscle and replenish red blood cells.
- Prawns contain significant amounts of iron, a mineral that is essential for the body to effectively distribute oxygen. And because it is in only a few types of food, iron deficiencies that cause severe exhaustion are surprisingly widespread, especially for women.
- Prawns are a rich source of selenium, one of the most effective antioxidants at maintaining healthy cells. They also contain high levels of Zinc, which is important to develop a healthy immune system
- Eating prawns helps build strong bones because they contain phosphorous, copper and magnesium.
It is important to note that a small percentage of people have a strong allergy to prawns, so if you find that you react negatively you should immediately contact a doctor. The healthiest ways to cook prawns are to steam, boil, bake or grill them. And because of their relatively neutral taste profile, prawns make up the base protein in an extremely diverse set of healthy and tasty meals.
