When You Want Something Simple, Indulgent, and Very Summer 🦐🍞
There are summer dinners that are light and restrained… and then there are the ones where you just want something properly delicious, eaten slowly, preferably with bread and no distractions.
This Garlic Prawn Summer Plate is firmly in that second category.
It’s warm, fragrant, and deeply satisfying — prawns cooked gently in olive oil, garlic, and chilli, finished with lemon and herbs. It feels indulgent without being heavy, and it comes together in minutes, which is exactly what you want when it’s warm and your patience is low.
This is not complicated cooking. It’s confident, simple food that knows what it’s doing.
Why This Dish Works So Well in Summer
- Prawns cook quickly and suit warm weather
- Big flavour from minimal ingredients
- One pan, very little clean-up
- Feels indulgent without being heavy
- Perfect for solo dinners that still feel special
It’s also one of those dishes that makes you slow down and enjoy it.
Ingredients (Single-Serve)
Garlic Prawns
- 180–200g raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
- Zest and juice of ½ lemon
- Salt & cracked black pepper
To Finish & Serve
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Crusty bread or sourdough, for dipping (non-negotiable)
How to Assemble (Fast, Summer-Friendly Cooking)
- Pat prawns dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and chilli flakes and cook gently until fragrant (don’t let the garlic brown).
- Add prawns and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and opaque.
- Finish with lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with bread.
Serve hot, glossy, and very fragrant.
How to Serve It
This dish is simple but versatile:
- Eat it straight from the pan (no judgement)
- Serve with a green salad to balance richness
- Add cherry tomatoes or spinach to the pan
- Pair with a cold drink and some quiet time
It’s best eaten immediately, while the oil is warm and garlicky.
Storage Tips (Seafood + Summer = Eat Fresh)
This dish is at its best straight away, but if needed:
- Cooked prawns: Refrigerate and eat within 24 hours
- Reheat gently in a pan or enjoy cold in a salad
- Avoid microwaving — it toughens the prawns
- Store oil and prawns together to keep flavour
👉 This is a cook-and-eat dish first and foremost.
Easy Swaps & Variations
This recipe adapts easily:
- Add butter for a richer finish
- Use lime instead of lemon
- Add white wine for extra depth
- Swap parsley for basil
- Use scallops instead of prawns
You can also spoon the prawns over pasta or rice if you want to stretch it.
Nutrition Notes (Rich but Sensible)
This plate balances indulgence with sense:
- Prawns provide lean protein and iodine
- Olive oil adds healthy fats
- Garlic supports heart health and flavour
- Minimal ingredients keep things clean
It’s satisfying without tipping into excess — perfect for summer evenings.
A Summer Dinner That Deserves Bread
This is the kind of dish that doesn’t pretend to be anything else. It’s garlicky, glossy, and meant to be enjoyed slowly, with bread in hand and no rush to be anywhere else.
Sometimes, dinner should just be that good.
Wrapping Up Week 4
This garlic prawn plate completes Week 4: Seafood & Grill Favourites.
You now have a full week of:
- Relaxed summer seafood
- Grill-friendly dinners
- Solo-friendly indulgence
- Minimal prep, maximum payoff
👉 If you’ve been cooking along, leave a comment with your favourite dish from the week.
👉 Or explore more solo-friendly summer dinners on Plan4One.com.
