How to clean Prawns/ Shrimps

Steps on how to clean Fresh Prawns/ Shrimps 

1. Wash the prawns 2-3 times

2. To remove the Shell and Tail of the Prawn/ Shrimp

To remove the outer-body shell of the prawn, hold the prawn with its hump facing upwards, then peel the shell from the bottom, lift up and pull the shell to remove it, continue doing the same till you reach the tail.

If you would like to keep the tail for frying/tempura, leave the tail part as it is. 

To remove the tail shell, just press hard at the end of the tail and pull the shell out.

3. To keep the Prawn/ Shrimp Head or Discard

If you like to eat the head, cut off the part from the eyes and cut the sharp spine above the prawn head and cut the legs.

To discard the head, just pull away the part from the head.To clean the brain, squeeze the brain from the head, by pressing sides of the head with the help of your fingers, or If you like, keep it.

3. To Devein the Prawn/ Shrimp

Using a sharp knife carefully cut  a small line into the prawn by running down the prawns back. With the tip of the knife remove the black intestine and discard.

You can also try using a  toothpick to pull out the intestine without slitting the prawn. Just poke the prawn on the spine and pull the intestine/black thread out.