King Prawn Cocktail

The prawn cocktail is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. It was a popular appetizer served in cocktail bars and restaurants, and was originally made with cooked prawns, iceberg lettuce, and a sauce consisting of mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. The dish quickly gained popularity and became a staple at dinner parties and other special occasions. Today, variations of the prawn cocktail can be found all over the world, and the dish remains a classic appetizer in many countries.

Ingredients

olive oil

½ a clove of garlic

cayenne pepper

8 unpeeled, large, raw tiger prawns

¼ of an iceberg lettuce

¼ of a cucumber

1-2 ripe tomatoes

1 sprig of fresh mint

1 small punnet of salad cress

50 g peeled little prawns

100 g mixed white and brown crabmeat

50 g brown shrimps , optional

1 lemon

 MARIE ROSE SAUCE

½ a lemon

    1 swig of brandy

    1 pinch of cayenne pepper

    1 heaped teaspooon ketchup

4 tablespoons free-range mayonnaise

Method

Heat a glug of oil in a pan over a high heat.  Crush and add the garlic, then stir in 1 pinch of cayenne pepper and the tiger prawns (you can butterfly them first if you like).

Toss the prawns for 3 to 4 minutes, or till cooked through.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

For the Marie rose sauce, combine the lemon juice with the remaining ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Shred the lettuce, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the tomato and pick the mint leaves, then layer in bowls or jars.  Snip in most of the cress.

Add the peeled prawns, dollop with marie rose sauce and finish with crabmeat, shrimps (if using) and more cress.

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and hang a hot prawn or two off the side of the bowl or jar.  Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Enjoy your king prawn cocktail!

Kam’s court, a chinese restaurant in Charmhaven, which was established in 1992. A friendly, family restaurant that has always been a good party place for family gatherings. We provide delicious and popular Chinese cuisine and are licensed. We invite you to come and enjoy our warm and friendly hospitality.