This recipe for Prawn Cocktail elevates the traditional shrimp dish to new heights!
I grew up loving shrimp cocktails with their jumbo-sized shrimp sitting atop a bed of lettuce, a bright red cocktail sauce in the center. However, this recipe for a prawn cocktail raises the bar and presents a whole new way to showcase the beauty and sweetness of prawns.
Prawns make the perfect appetizer. They are not too heavy, so you can serve them as part of a light summertime lunch or before a heavier dinner. You can also turn this dish into a full-blown meal by combining it with additional seafood, such as crab legs, Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, and cracked crab or lobster claws.
If the sauce for this dish seems familiar, it may be because you know it as Marie Rose Sauce, a mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. It is, in my opinion, far tastier than the traditional cocktail sauce, which can sometimes have too much horseradish. Take this sauce to an even more delicious level with a pinch of paprika (I like sweet smoked paprika) and a dash of hot sauce. Just don’t get too heavy-handed with the hot sauce unless you want a lot of heat.
Know the difference: shrimp vs. prawns
Do you know the difference between shrimp and prawns? Until very recently, I thought that prawns were just large shrimp. I was wrong. There are significant differences between the two. First, let’s look at the similarities. They are both crustaceans (although they belong to different suborders) that inhabit both saltwater and freshwater, and can be used interchangeably in many recipes. You will more often find prawns from freshwater and shrimp from saltwater when shopping or dining at a restaurant. If you’re in England or Australia, by the way, the word prawn commonly refers to either of the crustaceans, whereas in the U.S., shrimp is the catchall term.
Now, for some of the differences:
- Body Shape: Shrimp are shorter and have a curled shape, while prawns are longer and straighter
- Claws: Shrimp have claws on two pairs of legs, while prawns have claws on three pairs of legs
- Size: Prawns are typically larger, while shrimp come in many sizes, including tiny baby shrimp
- Taste: Shrimp tend to have a more savory, salty taste, while prawns are often sweeter
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate cooked prawns separately from the sauce, storing them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the sauce separately in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Cooked shrimp can also be frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.
Serving suggestions
Although this recipe calls for lettuce and avocado, you can add sauce-covered prawns to other salad recipes, such as Mâche Salad, Spring Salad, and Strawberry-Walnut Salad. Make a meal of prawn cocktail by adding a bowl of soup like Yellow Squash Soup, Lemongrass Chicken Soup, or Green Pea Soup. Another fun way to serve these prawns is on a platter alongside Crab Salad. Create two beds of lettuce, one with the prawns and the other with the crab salad for the perfect chilled seafood feast. Finally, make this Mini Fruit Tart recipe for dessert and enjoy a light and refreshing meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
- Dash of hot sauce optional
- Pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper optional
- 1 pound cooked prawns peeled and deveined
- 1 head romaine lettuce thinly sliced
- 1 ripe avocado diced
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh parsley or chives chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Stir the light mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, and paprika or cayenne pepper together until smooth and well blended. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Transfer the cooked prawns to a medium bowl. Drizzle the cocktail sauce over the prawns and gently toss to ensure each is evenly coated.
- Divide the lettuce among four bowls. Top with diced avocado and sauced prawns. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle with parsley or chives if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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