Georgina Hayden's Effortless Smoky Prawn Stew Recipe
Georgina Hayden has crafted a delightful smoky prawn, new potato, and spinach stew that brings Spanish flavors to your table with minimal effort. This recipe is designed for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering a special touch without the hassle. The dish combines tender prawns, hearty potatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich, smoky broth, making it a standout meal.
Why This Stew Is Perfect for Any Occasion
This Spanish-inspired stew is an excellent choice for dinner, especially when hosting friends. It feels elegant yet requires little hands-on cooking. To maximize convenience, you can prepare the potato base ahead of time and simply add the spinach and prawns just before serving. This allows you to focus on socializing rather than slaving over the stove. Pair it with a peppery salad dressed in lemon and crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled (4 finely sliced, 1 left whole)
- ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp mild chilli powder
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 250g ripe tomatoes, chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 300ml fish stock
- 600g new potatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
- 1 lemon
- 150g baby spinach
- 350g peeled king prawns, deveined (optional)
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Method:
- Heat a large, deep, ovenproof frying pan over medium-low heat. Drizzle in the olive oil, add the sliced garlic, and fry for one minute. Stir in the paprika, chilli powder, and tomato puree, frying for another minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, season generously, and increase the heat slightly. Cook for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
- Pour in the fish stock and add the potatoes. Squeeze in the juice from half the lemon, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach, cover again, and cook for two minutes until wilted. Check that the potatoes are tender.
- Preheat the grill to high. Remove the lid, scatter the prawns over the stew, drizzle with olive oil, season, and grill for four to five minutes until the prawns are pink and slightly charred.
- Meanwhile, grate the remaining garlic clove into the mayonnaise, squeeze in juice from the other lemon half, and season to taste for a quick aïoli.
- Serve the stew topped with chopped parsley and a dollop of the aïoli.
This recipe highlights how simple ingredients can create a flavorful and satisfying meal. Whether you're cooking for family or friends, Georgina Hayden's stew is sure to impress with its smoky depth and vibrant colors.
