Fresh Whole Raw Tiger Prawns

Large tiger prawns, heads and shells on, banded in bold brown over cream and finished with tail fans that flash blue and yellow. The antennae are long and intact, the shells glossy and wet-looking — signs of prawns that have never been thawed and refrozen.

The meat is firm and sweet with real weight to it, the kind that stands up to a hot grill without drying out. Keep the heads and shells: simmered for ten minutes they make a stock far better than anything from a cube.

• Large whole tiger prawns, heads on
• Bold brown banding and blue-yellow tail fans
• Firm, sweet meat that holds up to the grill
• Grill, steam or poach — save the shells for stock

Origin: coastal waters. Keep frozen at -18°C or below. Cook thoroughly before eating.