Fantail or Phoenix Prawns

This way of serving prawns comes from China. The cooked prawns, with their bright red tails, are supposed to resemble the legendary phoenix, which is a symbol of dignity and good luck. Large prawns are used.

1. Remove the heads from the prawns and peel away most of the body shell. Leave a little of the shell to keep the tail intact.
2. Make a tiny incision in the back of each prawn and remove the black intestinal cord.
3. Hold the prepared prawns by the tails and dip them lightly in seasoned cornflour, and then in a frothy batter before cooking them in hot oil until the tails, which are free from batter, turn red.