How to cook prawns?

How can you prevent prawns becoming chewy I'd like them to be quite fleshy but whenever I cook them they are really chewy even though I barely cook them?

• Answer:

  Defrost frozen prawns to make them ready for cooking. There are two proper ways to do this. One method requires that you remove prawns from their pack and place them in a bowl. The bowl should be covered and placed in the refrigerator all night to defrost. The second method involves wrapping prawns in a tight waterproof packing such as cling film. The package should be placed in a sink or container of cold water. Using this method, you could defrost a pound of frozen prawns in an hour. Step 2 Boil water. Put a clean pot on the burner and put enough water to cover the amount of prawns you will add. Two tablespoons of salt should be added to the water as you bring it to a boil. Step 3 Shelling (optional). Twist the prawn head and pull off. Pull off the legs and lift the shell back while holding onto the prawn tail. Scissors can be used to shell the prawns. Cut through the middle of the shell, peel off the shell from both sides and remove the head. Step 4 Cooking prawns. Put the washed prawns into the pot of boiling water. Reduce the heat and allow them to simmer for 3-6 minutes. When the prawns turn opaque or translucent and float on the boiling water they are cooked. You can cut a prawn in half to check. Step 5 Cool off the prawns. Remove the cooked prawns from heat and allow them to run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Some people may choose to serve and eat prawns as soon as they cool off. Step 6 Serve cooked prawns by themselves or with another dish. Many add prawns to other dishes, while some use prawns to garnish meals.