Prawns (not shrimps) on the 'Barbie' recipe

June 17, 11:19 AMTampa Inspirational Cook ExaminerJoseph Granato

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Cook the prawns til' they are nice and pink

Hey mate, it is time to go "Down under"!  Now you are asking... go down under what?  It is time to go down under and check out the "Barbie" or grilling on the other side of the world.  Yes it is summer in Australia while it is winter here in North America.  So if figures that during Christmas down under the grill is "smoking" on the beach while everyone else is surfing and enjoying the water.

Once the grill is smoking the most famous or common thing found on the grill down under is "Shrimp on the Barbie".  Prawns (never use the word shrimp) are prevalent down in Australia and there is nothing better than skewering up a bunch of these tasty little buggers and grilling them over some hot coals.  There are many different ways that you can prepare the shrimps or other seafood, so depending on what flavors you like there are choices for you.  The most popular version is very simple and I will share that with you today.

The phrase "slip a shrimp on the Barbie" was made famous by a television advertisement developed by the Australian Tourism Commission in the mid-1980s.  The ad starred Crocodile Dundee actor Paul Hogan and was aimed at increasing American tourism to Australia, which it did very successfully. The ad is somewhat misleading.  While the word "Barbie" is short for "barbecue" and commonly used in the Australian vernacular, the word "shrimp" is never used.  Australians call it a "prawn."

So go down to Ward's seafood and pick up a bunch of prawns.  Then go fire up the "Barbie" and make up this marinade and get ready to have a good ole' time sitting around the grill with a bunch of your friends.  This is a great way to share with some old friends.  Hey invite a bunch of new friends, because this is definitely a way to make NEW friends, too!

Prawns (shrimps) on the barbie... Australian style

Ingredients:

•     1/2 cup butter, melted
•     1/4 cup olive oil
•     1/4 cup minced fresh herb, parsley and thyme
•     3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
•     3 large garlic cloves, crushed
•     1 tablespoon minced shallot
•     salt and pepper
•     1 1/2 lbs shrimp, unpeeled medium to large (U10 to U20)
•     spinach leaves (to garnish)
•     lemon slice (to garnish)

Directions:

Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl.  Mix in shrimp.  Marinate at room temperature 1 hour or in the refrigerator 5 hours, stirring occasionally.  Prepare barbecue with medium hot coals. Thread shrimp on narrow skewers (soak skewers in water to prevent burning).  Grill until just opaque, about 2 minutes per side.  Line platter with spinach.   Arrange skewers on platter.  Garnish with lemon and serve.

Wow, that is some good stuff, baby!  Grab some cold brewskies or make up a batch of summer type cocktails, call up some friends and have a party... a pre-Forth of July party!  There is no better time to celebrate "Freedom" than right now!

Be happy my friends, no matter what is going on in your life, you have the choice to be happy or to be...NOT happy!  It is a choice... your choice.  Maybe, by just being happy it might change what is going on in your life!  You will not know until you make the change.  Life is a "fleeting moment".  Don't be a could of, should of, would of... kind of person.  Don't let life slip right by you, take a hold of the horns and go for the "ride of your life".  Next we will explore the world of b-b-q, Korean style!  This will be dedicated to my friend Virginia who just left to go teach English in Korea.  Take care my friends and until next time... keep the grill hot, the food cooking, the drinks full and your heart "happy" and full of gratitude!  Peace 2 U!

"Do what you can, with what you have,
where you are... just start and do something, NOW."