Hi everyone, I’m Joaquim Oliveira and I’m excited to share with you my recipe for Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta! This dish is perfect for those who love a little bit of spice and want to try a unique combination of seafood and spices. The prawns are beautifully cooked, and the sauce is packed with flavor, making this dish a crowd-pleaser for sure!
Born and raised in Cape Verde, Joaquim developed a love for cooking thanks to his mother’s delicious meals. After moving to Portugal to attend university, he started exploring fusion cuisine, which combines traditional African flavors with modern cooking techniques. When he is not experimenting in the kitchen, Joaquim enjoys playing guitar and listening to jazz music.
Joaquim Oliveira currently resides in Portugal and grew up in Cape Verde.
As someone from Cape Verde who now lives in Portugal, I’ve always been interested in fusion cooking. I love combining my African roots with modern European cuisine, and this recipe is a perfect example of that! The combination of Italian pasta and Asian-inspired spices makes for a truly unforgettable flavor experience. Plus, using fresh seafood is a nod to my childhood growing up near the coast, where fishing is a big part of the culture.
The origins of Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta are a bit of a mystery, but one thing that is certain is its popularity in fusion cuisine circles. Some people say that the dish was invented by a chef in Singapore, while others claim that it comes from a restaurant in New York City. Regardless of its origins, this unique dish has become a staple in many kitchens around the world. One interesting thing about the recipe is that it calls for red pepper flakes, which add a spicy kick to the dish. In addition, the use of soy sauce and garlic make it distinctly Asian, while the lemon juice and spring onions give it a fresh, zesty finish.
What you need
Looking for an out-of-the-box pasta dish that will dance on your taste buds? Look no further than this Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta! The unique combination of Asian and Italian-inspired spices creates a symphony of flavor that will have you reaching for seconds. Hearty pasta is tossed with succulent prawns in a spicy sauce made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes, offering the perfect amount of heat to warm you up on a chilly evening. Top it off with fresh spring onions and a squeeze of lemon juice to add a zesty and tangy finish. With only a few steps between you and a restaurant-quality dish, this is the perfect recipe to impress your friends or family, or even just treat yourself to a special dinner at home. So, grab a fork and let’s dive into this bold and flavorful bowl of Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta!
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti – The base of the dish, spaghetti will soak up all the delicious flavors of the spices and prawns. Can be swapped with any kind of pasta, depending on preference or dietary needs.
- Prawns – The star of the dish, prawns are the perfect complement to the spicy and aromatic sauce. Can be swapped with other seafood such as squid, scallops or shrimp.
- Garlic – Adds an earthy and slightly sweet flavor to the dish. Can be substituted with garlic powder if fresh garlic is unavailable.
- Ginger – Adds a spicy and warming note to the sauce. Can be substituted with ginger paste or powder.
- Red pepper flakes – Brings a heat element to the dish. Can be adjusted to personal preference or substituted with other spices like paprika or cayenne pepper.
- Soy Sauce – Adds umami flavor and depth to the sauce. Can be substituted with gluten-free soy sauce.
- Olive oil – Used to sauté garlic and prawns, olive oil adds a light fruitiness to the dish. Can be substituted with vegetable oil or coconut oil depending on preference.
- Spring onions – Used as garnish, spring onions add a fresh flavor and beautiful color to the dish. Can be substituted with regular onions or scallions.
- Lemon – Used to squeeze over the dish before serving, lemon brings a bright and zesty note to the dish. Can be substituted with lime or orange juice.
Utensils:
- Large pot
- Large skillet or wok
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
Red pepper flakes
I’m a huge fan of bold flavors and heat, so naturally, I love red pepper flakes. The heat comes from capsaicin, which has been known to speed up metabolism and release endorphins – which is why it can also make us happy! In moderation, heat and spice can be a great addition to any diet. Red pepper flakes are a popular addition to Italian cuisine, adding a kick to pizzas, pastas and soups. In this Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta recipe, the red pepper flakes are used to add some heat and depth to the sautéed prawns. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can always adjust the amount of red pepper flakes added to the recipe to suit your tastes.
Ginger
Ginger brings a unique flavor and fragrance to dishes that is hard to replicate with any other spice. It has been used for centuries to soothe upset stomachs, reduce inflammation and even fight off the common cold. In this recipe, ginger takes the stage as a main spice used to add a spicy and warming note to the sauce. As someone who loves to experiment with new flavors, I’m always looking for ways to incorporate ginger into my cooking. Ginger is at home in Asian cuisine, where it is used in everything from stir-fries to soups to desserts. However, ginger can also be used to add a spicy and earthy flavor to marinades, baked goods and even cocktails. As a bonus, ginger is also a natural antioxidant and has been known to have anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potentially healthy addition to any meal.
What to serve it with?
For me, serving Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta alongside a crisp green salad, dressed simply with olive oil and lemon juice, is the perfect option. The fresh, light flavors of the salad help balance out the heat and richness of the pasta dish, creating a well-rounded meal. As someone who is passionate about combining different ingredients and flavors, I also love that the salad adds another layer of texture and flavor to the overall experience. Plus, it’s a great way to get some extra greens in your diet!
Summary
That’s it for my recipe for Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta! I hope you give this dish a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. Do you like the combination of Italian pasta and Asian-inspired spices? What do you think about the addition of prawns in the mix? And most importantly, did you dance with joy after taking the first bite? Share your thoughts and opinions with me! And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out on more tasty recipes from around the world, that I’ll be sharing soon.
Here’s the recipe:
Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta: A Flavorful Dance of Seafood and Spices
Equipment
- large pot
- Large skillet or wok
- Colander
- cutting board
- Knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 oz Spaghetti
- 1 lb Prawns
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Ginger
- 1 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 Spring onions
- 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Cook the pasta - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. - Don't forget to salt the water before you add the pasta – this helps to flavor the pasta from the inside out. Make sure to reserve some of the cooking water, which will be used later to loosen up the sauce if it becomes too thick. If you prefer your pasta more on the well-done side, you can cook it for an extra minute or two.
- Prepare the sauce - While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add diced garlic, grated ginger and red pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add the prawns and stir occasionally until they're pink and cooked through. Stir in soy sauce and cook for an additional 30 seconds. - Be careful not to overcook the garlic or it can become bitter. The prawns should take about 3-4 minutes to cook through, depending on their size. Don't be afraid to adjust the heat – if the garlic or ginger starts to brown too much, lower the heat slightly to avoid burning it. If you don't eat seafood, you can substitute with chicken, tofu or vegetables.
- Combine sauce and pasta - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with prawns and sauce. Use tongs to toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water to loosen it up. - It's best to add the pasta to the skillet instead of the other way around, as this allows the pasta to pick up all the flavors from the sauce. Don't be afraid to use your hands if the tongs aren't doing the trick – the goal is to fully coat the pasta with sauce.
- Serve and garnish - Plate the pasta and top with sliced spring onions and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Enjoy your delicious Funky Fusion Prawn Pasta! - Garnishing with sliced spring onions and fresh lemon juice offers a pop of color and fresh flavor to the dish. If you're feeling fancy, you can also add some chopped herbs such as cilantro or parsley to amp up the freshness even more.
