Prawn Cocktail A La Delia Smith Recipes

PRAWN COCKTAIL

Steps:

• The very best version of this is made with prawns (either fresh or frozen in their shells) that you have cooked yourself. Failing that, buy the large cooked prawns in their shells, or if you can only get shelled prawns cut the amount to 1 lb (450 g). To prepare them: if frozen put them in a colander and allow to defrost thoroughly at room temperature for about 1 hour. After that, if using uncooked prawns, heat a large solid frying pan or wok and dry-fry the prawns for 4-5 minutes until the grey turns a vibrant pink. As soon as they're cool, reserve 6 in their shells for a garnish and peel the remainder. Then take a small sharp knife, make a cut along the back of each peeled prawn and remove any black thread. Place them in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and keep in the fridge until needed. To make the cocktail sauce, prepare the mayonnaise and add it to the rest of the sauce ingredients. Stir and taste to check the seasoning, then keep the sauce covered with clingfilm in the fridge until needed. When you are ready to serve, shred the lettuce and rocket fairly finely and divide them between 6 stemmed glasses, then peel and chop the avocado into small dice and scatter this in each glass amongst the lettuce. Top with the prawns and the sauce, sprinkle a dusting of cayenne pepper on top and garnish with 1 section of lime and 1 unpeeled prawn per glass. Serve with brown bread and butter.

PRAWN COCKTAIL A LA DELIA SMITH

Steps:

• PRAWNS:.
• The very best version of this is made with prawns (either fresh or frozen in their shells) that you have cooked yourself.
• Failing that, buy the large cooked prawns in their shells, or if you can only get shelled prawns, get those.
• To prepare them: if frozen put them in a colander and allow to defrost thoroughly at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• After that, if using uncooked prawns, heat a large solid frying pan or wok and dry-fry the prawns for 4-5 minutes until the grey turns a vibrant pink.
• As soon as they're cool, reserve 6 in their shells for a garnish and peel the remainder.
• Then take a small sharp knife, make a cut along the back of each peeled prawn and remove any black thread.
• Place them in a bowl, cover with film wrap and keep in the fridge until needed.
• TO MAKE THE SAUCE::.
• Take mayonnaise and add it to the rest of the sauce ingredients.
• Stir and taste to check the seasoning, then keep the sauce covered with film wrap in the refrigerator, until needed.
• ASSEMBLY.
• When you are ready to serve, shred the lettuce and rocket fairly finely and divide them between 6 stemmed glasses, then peel and chop the avocado into small dice and scatter this in each glass amongst the lettuce.
• Top with the prawns and the sauce, sprinkle a dusting of cayenne pepper on top and garnish with 1 section of lime and 1 unpeeled prawn per glass.
• Serve with brown bread and butter.

CLASSIC PRAWN COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Peel all but four of the prawns (reserve these for the tops). Break the lettuces into individual leaves, then divide the leaves evenly between four small glass bowls. Sprinkle the prawns over the lettuce and season with black pepper.
• Mix the mayonnaise, tomato chutney, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish and Tabasco together. Season to taste with lemon juice and salt and pepper, then spoon sparingly over the prawns. Dust the top with a little paprika and sprinkle with chives. Top with the remaining prawns and serve immediately. Delicious with brown bread.