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Cajun Prawn (Shrimp) Quinoa Bowl with Mango Salsa

Smoky Cajun-spiced prawns over fluffy quinoa with a fresh mango and lime salsa, avocado and sweetcorn. The homemade spice mix keeps the salt down, and the prawns cook in about 3 minutes.

Lunch

45

Serves 4

A quinoa bowl with Cajun-spiced prawns, mango salsa, sliced avocado, sweetcorn and rocket

Ingredients

  • For the quinoa
  • 200g/7oz/1¼ cups quinoa, rinsed well in a sieve
  • 500ml/2 cups water and a pinch of salt
  • For the Cajun prawns
  • 400g/14oz raw peeled king prawns (large shrimp), defrosted if frozen
  • 2 tsp (4g) smoked paprika, 1 tsp (3g) garlic powder, 1 tsp (1g) dried oregano and half a tsp (1g) cayenne pepper
  • A quarter tsp salt and black pepper
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • For the mango salsa
  • 1 large ripe mango (about 200g/7oz flesh), diced
  • Half a small red onion (about 40g/1½oz), finely chopped
  • 1 red chilli (about 5g), deseeded and finely chopped, optional
  • 10g/a loosely packed ½ cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • To serve
  • 1 large ripe avocado (about 150g/5oz flesh), sliced
  • 160g/5½oz drained tinned (canned) sweetcorn (corn kernels), no added salt or sugar
  • 60g/2oz rocket (arugula)

Method

  1. Put the rinsed quinoa in a pan with the water and pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed; if any is left, simmer uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes more. Take off the heat and leave to stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff up with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, make the salsa: mix the mango, red onion, chilli, coriander and lime juice in a bowl and set aside.
  3. Mix the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper in a bowl. Pat the prawns dry with kitchen paper (paper towels), add them to the bowl and toss to coat.
  4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the prawns in a single layer, in two batches if they do not fit, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until pink all over and opaque all the way through. Do not overcook, or they turn rubbery.
  5. Divide the rocket and quinoa between 4 bowls. Slice the avocado now, so it does not brown, and top the bowls with the prawns, mango salsa, sweetcorn and avocado. Spoon any juices from the salsa over the top.
  6. For packed lunches, keep the prawns, quinoa and salsa in the fridge for up to 2 days and add the avocado on the day; eat the prawns cold or reheat them until piping hot.

Why it works

A bowl has about 30g of protein and 9g of fibre for 436 calories, including the quinoa, avocado and sweetcorn. Prawns are very lean, with less than 1g of fat per 100g, so most of the fat here comes from the avocado and olive oil.

Why quinoa. Quinoa has more protein than rice and contains all nine essential amino acids, which is rare for a plant food. Rinse it before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating.

A homemade Cajun mix. Shop-bought Cajun seasoning often contains a lot of salt. Making your own from paprika, garlic powder, oregano and cayenne lets you use just a quarter teaspoon of salt for four bowls.

Food safety. Defrost frozen prawns in the fridge overnight, or in a sealed bag under cold running water, never at room temperature. Cook raw prawns until they are pink all over and opaque in the middle.

The mango salsa adds vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from the quinoa. For another prawn dinner, try the garlic prawn and spinach stir-fry, or for a fish bowl, the salmon poke bowl.