Delia Smith Prawn Cocktail Recipes

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.