Food

Julia’s BBQ Prawns With Watermelon + Feta Salad

Did someone say prawns on the barbie?!

We are head-over-heels for Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s take on this classic Aussie dish — and we already know we’ll be making it all summer long.

The mouth-watering marinated prawns are easy to prepare and super quick to cook up on the barbeque, and the refreshing watermelon and feta salad is the perfect accompaniment.

Find the recipe below!

Written
by
Julia Busuttil Nishimura
|
Photography
by
|
Styling
by

Sarah Hendriks

Summer dining should be fuss-free, which is why Julia’s marinated BBQ prawns with a refreshing watermelon salad is just the thing!

Less time in the kitchen means more time spent relaxing!

Writer
Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Photography
Styling

Sarah Hendriks

4th of December 2023

Summer cooking is all about keeping things simple, seasonal and fuss-free. Less time in the kitchen means more time spent relaxing with friends and family.

These prawns are my absolute go-to and incredibly quick to prepare. The lemon and oregano are the stars and really make this dish bright and zingy. You don’t necessarily need to skewer them, however it makes for easier cooking on the barbeque.

The salad is also on high rotation during the warmer months when watermelon is at its best, and sometimes I’ll add cucumber or coriander, too. The refreshing juicy watermelon with the salty creamy feta is the most amazing combination, and served with the prawns, just so good.

One to make all summer long!

The lemon and oregano are the stars and really make this dish bright and zingy.

You don’t necessarily need to skewer the prawns, however it makes for easier cooking on the barbeque.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Prawns on the barbie!

Marinated BBQ Prawns With Watermelon + Feta Salad

(Serves 4-6)

24 prawns, shelled and deveined, tails left intact
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Finely sliced zest from ½ a lemon
Juice of ½ a lemon
1 tsp dried Greek or Sicilian oregano
3 sprigs fresh oregano
1 fresh bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste

Watermelon + feta salad

¼  of a large watermelon, cut into wedges
125 g Greek feta, crumbled
Handful of mint and dill, roughly chopped
1 spring onion, finely sliced
½ red onion, finely sliced
200 g cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
Salt, to taste
Lemon wedges, to serve

Method:

For the prawns, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hands to massage the marinade into the prawns. Season well. Allow to marinate in the fridge for around 30 minutes and no longer than two hours.

Using a metal skewer or soaked wooden skewers, skewer a prawn through the thickest part and the tail. Repeat with the remaining prawns, placing around four on each skewer. Arrange on a tray and pour over any excess marinade.

Heat a grill pan or barbeque grill to hot.

While the barbeque is heating, make the salad simply by arranging all of the ingredients, except for the oil and lemon, onto a platter.

Grill the prawns for 2-3 minutes on each side.

When the prawns are almost ready, dress the salad with the olive oil, lemon juice and some a little sprinkling of salt.

Remove the prawns from the skewers and serve with the salad and some lemon wedges.

What else I’m eating: The roast chicken at Julie’s in the Abbotsford Convent. Newly opened, Julie’s has already been awarded one hat and the food coming out of their kitchen is so delicious. Don’t skip on the bread course either, the warm house-made rolls with butter are incredible.

What else I’m cooking: The first of the stone fruit has me making galettes with the flakiest pastry and filled with stewed apricots flavoured with cardamom.

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