Cereal Butter Prawn

Savor the taste of Cereal Butter Prawn – Crispy, flavorful, and utterly delicious. A savory symphony of buttery richness and crunchy delight every bite. Try it now!

This crunchy, buttery, aromatic savory dish is a Singaporean favorite. Made from succulent, Fresh, juicy prawns deep fried with a delicious coating of eggs, mixed with curry leaves and a touch of chili padi before tossing with delicious cereal!

Cereal Prawns is one of the most popular dishes to order at a zi char or tze char restaurant. Zi char is a Hokkien term meaning “cook and fry”, and familiar to Singaporeans and Malaysians. It’s basically a restaurant where you order a bunch of dishes for the table family-style kind of round table, and everyone gets a bit of everything.

I love seafood, and prawns are definitely one of my favorite things to eat. What I love about this dish, besides the big and juicy prawns, is that the flavors meld so well together – the butter and the cereal and the crispy curry leaves, with a hint of spice from the chili.

What is cereal butter prawn?

Just as its name implies, this dish is made with cereal, butter, juicy prawns, curry leaves, and seasonings. The prawns are typically marinated with egg, salt, and flour and then fried until crispy. Curry leaves and chili are stir-fried in a generous amount of butter and then tossed with the cereal. The prawns are then added and tossed with the amazing cereal mix. So simple yet flavorful.

Meanwhile, for the cereal, Nestum is a brand of instant cereal products owned by Nestlé. The original Nestum cereal has a history dating back to the early 20th century. Henri Nestlé was a Swiss pharmacist who played a crucial role in the development of milk-based products for infants. Over the years, Nestum evolved beyond being just an infant cereal. It became popular as a versatile cereal product suitable for people of all ages. Nestum’s popularity grew, and it became a globally recognized brand.

Today, Nestum is known for it’s popularity as a quick and wholesome breakfast option.

Do prawn is a bigger shrimp?

As I surfed on the internet this question frequently appears. Well, we’re here to tell you a very little information that;

The main difference is located in their anatomical body. The main anatomical difference between prawns and shrimp is their body form. In shrimp, the thorax overlaps the head and the abdomen. But in prawns, each segment overlaps the segment below it. Because of this, prawns are unable to bend their bodies sharply the way shrimp can.

Shrimp; mostly found in salt water, smaller, part of sub-order pleocyemata. Plate-like gills. Curled body

Prawn; mostly found in fresh water. Bigger, Part of sub-order Dendrobranchiatan. Brancing gills. Straight body. To conclude, it’s fairly to say that mostly prawns are mention to a bigger shrimp.

Now, let’s get to the recipe. shall we?

Ingredients of Cereal Butter Prawn

Cereal mix

• Cereal Original: This provides a crunchy coating for the prawns, adding texture to the dish. It is a multigrain instant cereal, manufactured by Nestle. The one we are using for the recipe is the Nestum Cereal Original. It is slightly sweet and has a thinner and flakier texture compared to the usual porridge oats. Do not substitute it with the normal porridge oats because they will get soggy. Try to find this specific brand because the choice of cereal largely impacts the taste of this dish. If you really cannot find this brand, then any instant cereal that is accessible to you should work. The cereal should be crispy and crunchy right out of the pack already.
• Milk Powder: Adds a creamy and milky flavor to the cereal mix, enhancing the overall taste. To add richness and milky flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the flavor of the cereal mix.

Prawns

• Prawns (Shrimp): The main protein source for the dish, providing a sweet and savory flavor. You want large-size prawns. The larger they are the better and quicker time to prep them.
• Lime Juice: Adds a citrusy brightness to the prawns, balancing the richness of the butter sauce.
• Egg: Serves as a binding agent for the cereal coating, helping it adhere to the prawns. They also hold the batter together, especially when paired with cornstarch. Meanwhile, the egg yolk is fried with butter to make the crispy egg floss. You can also skip it if preferred.
• Cornstarch: Another binding agent that contributes to the crispy texture of the prawns.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasonings for the prawns, enhancing their natural flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the prawns until they become crispy.

Assembly

• Garlic (Minced): Adds a savory and aromatic flavor to the butter sauce. For aromatic flavor and aroma.
• Curry Leaves: Provide a unique and fragrant flavor to the butter sauce, enhancing the overall taste.
• Curly Chili Red Pepper: Adds heat and color to the dish, contributing to its visual appeal.
• Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the butter sauce, providing richness and a smooth texture to coat the prawns.

Let’s Make Cereal Butter Prawn

First, prepare a medium bowl and combine all ingredients for the cereal mix. Stir until all components are thoroughly combined.

Next, in another bowl, create the shrimp batter by mixing all ingredients except for the cooking oil. Stir until the mixture reaches a somewhat thick consistency.

Now, heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, dip the shrimp into the batter and fry them until both sides turn golden brown. Once done, set the fried shrimp aside.

Next, heat the pan again and add unsalted butter. Allow it to melt, creating a rich base for the butter sauce.

Now, add minced garlic, curry leaves, and red chili peppers to the melted butter. Cook until the mixture becomes fragrant, releasing enticing aromas into the kitchen.

Next, pour in the previously prepared cereal mixture. Stir and cook until the butter is absorbed, and the cereal takes on a toasty, golden shade.

Finally, add the previously fried shrimp to the pan. Stir until the cereal coating adheres to the shrimp, creating a delightful and crispy texture.

Now, your Cereal Butter Prawns are ready to be served! The combination of rich butter sauce and crunchy cereal coating makes for a delicious and visually appealing dish.

Recipe Notes;

• The bigger the size of the prawns the better for cook because it need less time and step for pre-cooked. I recommend you cook them without the heads and shells. My kids prefer the latter because it’s easier for them to eat.
• Don’t use oats, ever. Raw oat is thick and chewy, right? Does it crisp up after it’s fried in butter? No, it doesn’t. It just turns into a soggy mess. When you see recipes that use oats, run!
• What you should use is Nestum cereal, which is actually flakes of baked flour with a milky fragrance. Nestum comes out of the bag (or tin) crisp, and it can absorb some moisture without going soft. Hence, curry leaves fried with Nestum cereal are dry and crunchy. Likewise, deep-fried prawns that have a bit of moisture would crisp up nicely but don’t dry out. If you’re in Indonesia. You can change the nestum with Energen’s original taste, they look similar.

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