When one thinks of a prawn, the image that usually comes to mind is of small pink crustaceans nestled in a sandwich or prawn cocktail.
However, Iceland’s giant tempura black tiger prawns are set to change this perception.
The supermarket, known for its frozen food specialities, boasts what it claims to be “Britain’s biggest tempura prawns” as part of their festive party range this year.
These seven-inch-long prawns dwarf those typically found at local Chinese restaurants.
Matthew Worsley, senior development chef at Iceland Foods, spoke about the Luxury Ultimate XL Tempura Black Tiger Prawns: “As the demand for unique and Instagram-worthy food grows, we’re always looking for the next larger-than-life food trends, and these giant tempura prawns are sure to get people talking this Christmas.”
He added that the prawns, which are almost the size of his hands and head, not only impress with their size but also “taste exceptional”.
A pack of six costs £15, which may seem steep, but considering their size, it could be worth it.
They can be cooked straight from the freezer in just 14 minutes using an air fryer, making them a convenient choice for unexpected Christmas guests.
The Black Tiger Prawns have a satisfying weight to them, and biting into them reveals a delightful crunch from the tempura batter, reports the Mirror.
The texture of the prawn underneath is delightful against the batter. I might argue that the batter is a millimetre too thick, but this is nitpicking as the tempura is excellent and easily forgivable.
The prawns are meaty, almost like consuming a substantial fish. They possess a lovely, delicate and fresh taste despite their enormous size for what I consider a prawn.
They certainly feel luxurious, akin to savouring a high-quality lobster. The only thing missing from the batter and prawn was a hint of salt.
However, I completely understand why Iceland chose not to season it – you can add salt according to your preference. A sprinkle of salt, similar to how you’d season a piece of fish, elevated it from a six to a solid eight.
These would also pair wonderfully with a side sauce, perhaps sweet chilli. The uniformity of the prawns and the crispness of the batter impressed me.
