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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Harissa Prawns with Smashed Potatoes & Asparagus

    Author: Amy Fulwood | Published: Jun 21, 2020 | Modified: Jul 5, 2023

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    These harissa prawns are deliciously spicy and so easy to make. Served with smashed potatoes and charred asparagus the whole dish is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to guests.

    Check out this delicious healthy meal!

    White bowl of harissa prawns with asparagus and potatoes
    Close up of spicy prawns in a white bowl

    I absolutely adore this meal. It's got the perfect combination of healthy and fresh flavours, spicy harissa kick and filling carbs. 

    It's also ridiculously easy to make but looks super fancy and impressive. You could serve it with a cold glass of wine on a summer weeknight when you feel like a treat or to friends at a dinner party for something a little special.

    Either way everyone will love this light and tasty summer recipe. Harissa is one of my favourite ways to brighten up a meal, it's spicy and zingy and it works perfectly with prawns. 

    The prawns work perfectly with the garlicky smashed potatoes and crunchy charred asparagus.

    If you're looking for more seafood recipes make sure you try out this prawn sandwich!

    Bowl of prawns and potatoes on a marble background
    Close up of smashed potatoes on a marble surface

    Why we love these harissa prawns with potato and asparagus...

    The prawns are packed with flavour from the harissa paste and the other spices and they're the perfect fit with the crunchy smashed potatoes.

    This is a healthy recipe thanks to the low fat prawns and crunchy green asparagus. You can even cut out the butter in the potatoes to make it even lighter!

    It's also gluten free so perfect for anyone following a gluten free diet.

    You can easily make the recipe work for your own preferences by switching the ingredients. Chicken would work well in place of the prawns and any other green vegetable would fit in place of the asparagus.

    Overhead shot of spicy shrimp with asparagus in a white bowl
    Close up of asparagus and prawns in a white bowl

    Spicy Prawns with Smashed Baby Potatoes and Charred Asparagus Ingredients

    Prawns: I like to get ready peeled raw king prawns which you can buy frozen or fresh.

    Marinade: The prawns are tossed in a combination of olive oil, ground coriander, ground cumin, harissa and garlic.

    Potatoes: I like to use new potatoes or baby potatoes for this recipe. No need to peel them! I went for a mixture of blue and white potatoes because that's what I had on hand. Try out these honey mustard sausages for another way to use potatoes!

    Asparagus: Woody ends snapped off and tossed in olive oil and salt and pepper.

    Flat lay photo of shrimp and asparagus and potatoes on a marble background
    Close up of harissa shrimp in a white bowl

    How to make spicy garlic prawns with potatoes & asparagus

    Prep the potatoes: Bring a pot of the water to the boil and add the potatoes, cook until tender. Spread on a baking sheet and crush with the bottom of a glass, drizzle with melted butter and olive oil then roast for 40 minutes.

    Marinate the prawns: Toss the prawns with the olive oil, harissa, spices and garlic and set aside for 30 minutes. Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper and place in the oven for the last 10 minutes of the potato cooking.

    Cook the prawns: Heat a frying pan over high heat and add the prawns, cook on one side then flip and cook on the other side. Mix with the lemon juice and remove from the heat, serve with the potatoes and asparagus.

    White bowl of spicy prawns and side dishes on a marble background with gold forks
    Close up of smashed potatoes with a checked cloth

    Want more? Try these other harissa recipes!

    • Harissa Roasted Salmon with Potatoes
    • Harissa Chickpea Stew with Aubergine
    • Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken and Potatoes
    • Harissa Halloumi Salad with Couscous
    • Harissa Falafel with Roasted Vegetables
    • Instant Pot Harissa Devilled Eggs

    Recipe

    Overhead shot of spicy shrimp with asparagus in a white bowl

    Harissa Prawns with Smashed Potatoes & Charred Asparagus

    These harissa prawns are deliciously spicy and so easy to make. Served with smashed potatoes and charred asparagus the whole dish is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to guests.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 666kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    For the Harissa Prawns

    • 170 g Raw King Prawns peeled and deveined
    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander
    • 1 tablespoon Harissa
    • 3 cloves Garlic crushed
    • 1 Lemon juiced
    • Big pinch Sea Salt Flakes

    For the Smashed Potatoes

    • 500 g New Potatoes big ones cut to the same size, I used a mixture of white and blue potatoes
    • 3 tablespoon Butter melted
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Salt and Pepper

    For the Asparagus

    • 200 g Asparagus ends snapped off
    • Olive Oil
    • Salt and Pepper
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Heat the oven to 220°C/430°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 25-30 minutes until a knife can easily be inserted. Drain and let dry in the colander for about 5 minutes.
    • Spread on a baking sheet and use the bottom of a glass to smash each potato. Drizzle with the melted butter and the olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes until golden and crispy.
    • Once the potatoes are in the oven place the prawns, salt, olive oil, cumin, coriander, harissa and garlic in a bowl and toss together. Marinate for 30 minutes.
    • While the potatoes cook spread the asparagus out on an other baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper. Put them in the oven 10 minutes before the potatoes are finished cooking.
    • After putting the asparagus in the oven heat a frying pan over a high heat then add the prawns and cook on one side for 1 minute until browned then flip and cook for another minute on the other side. Add the lemon juice and quickly stir the prawns in the juice for another 20 seconds then remove from the heat. Serve the prawns with the potatoes and asparagus.
    Nutrition Facts
    Harissa Prawns with Smashed Potatoes & Charred Asparagus
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 666 Calories from Fat 360
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 40g62%
    Saturated Fat 14g70%
    Cholesterol 259mg86%
    Sodium 931mg39%
    Potassium 1443mg41%
    Carbohydrates 56g19%
    Fiber 10g40%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 26g52%
    Vitamin A 1332IU27%
    Vitamin C 90mg109%
    Calcium 204mg20%
    Iron 7mg39%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image of harissa prawns with text overlay

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      Honey Harissa Roast New Potatoes with Creamy Feta

    Comments

    1. Jessica Formicola says

      June 22, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      I absolutely love harissa! I can't wait to make this for dinner tonight- thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Jamie says

      June 22, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      A lovely combination of flavors here with the harissa. I have some shrimp in the fridge so 'll have to try this soon!

      Reply
    3. Emily Liao says

      June 22, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      These prawns were cooked perfectly and so delicious!

      Reply
    4. Anjali says

      June 22, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      These prawns were so spicy and flavorful!! Absolutely loved them!

      Reply
    5. Beth says

      June 22, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious! I can't wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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    Photo of Amy in a red jumper wearing glasses

    Hey, I'm Amy Fulwood!

    Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

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