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Prawn Cocktail

Introduction & method

Prawn cocktail (or shrimp cocktail) is something the Boomers will remember fondly, while wondering whatever happened to it. In the 70s and 80s, this was on menus everywhere and was the de facto starter for many a dinner party. A well-made prawn cocktail is a wonderful thing, and it's actually devastatingly simple to make. This recipe is borrowed from The Prawn Cocktail Years, by Simon Hopkinson and Lindsay Bareham.

 Prawn Cocktail Recipe

Make the Marie Rose Sauce


Mix together all the sauce ingredients except for the paprika.

Prep the Salad Veg


Use leaves from the heart of the lettuce - these are crunchier and tastier. Shred/dice them small. Save 2 of the outer leaves per person. Depending on its size, you might not use all of the lettuce. Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and scoop out the seedy core with a teaspoon. Peel the cuke if you like. Dice the cucumber finely. Slice/dice the spring onion. Mix all the veggies together.

Assemble the Prawn Cocktails


If your prawns have the shell on, you'll need to peel them, but save 2 with the shell on per person. Take two cocktail or wide wine glasses. In each on, place 2 whole lettuce leaves vertically up against the glass. Hook a slice of lemon over the edge of the glass between the two leaves. Hook the 2 shell-on prawns beside the outer edges of the lettuce leaves. Spoon the mixed veggies into the bottom of the  glass. Mix the prawns with the marie rose sauce and spoon into the glasses over the veggie mix. Sprinkle with paprika.


The video above is from the Keef Cooks YouTube channel. Click here to see the video recipe of Prawn Cocktail on YouTube.

 
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Ingredients & Info


SALAD
 1 little gem lettuce
 200 grams cooked king prawns
 half a cucumber
 1 spring onion
MARIE ROSE SAUCE
 4-5 tbsp mayonnaise
 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
 1 tsp brandy
 2-3 splashes tabasco sauce
 a sprinkling of paprika
 squeeze of lemon juice

UNITS:
Metric
US Customary/Imperial

Serves  2 
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Total time: 10 minutes.