Sunday 17 June 2012

Go retro - Prawn cocktails

I have recently done 2 different lots of that ol' retro standby – the prawn cocktail. And both turned out spectacular to look at (she says modestly) and best of all tasted great.

I didn't have any suitable cocktail glass so just used a bowl.

The first version turned out like this:



I made it by putting a lettuce cup in the bowl. I then shredded about one lettuce leaf and put it on top of the lettuce cup.

After than I put the prawns as decoratively as I could around the bowl. I bought them cooked from the supermarket – nice big ones. Expensive but worth it for a treat.

I put in some small lemon wedges.

I then drizzled on top a sauce I made РI call it a sauce marie rose (you may call it thousand island dressing). I just mixed more or less equal quantities of ketchup (tomato sauce), mayonnaise and cr̬me fraiche. I seasoned it with cayenne pepper, white pepper and a smidge of salt.

Finally I sprinkled a little more cayenne pepper on top – but it could equally have been paprika.

Here's what the second version looked like:




This was made the same way except I mixed some finely diced red onion through the bed of shredded lettuce. And for the sauce I added some fiery chilli sauce in – so it was a bit spicier. I enjoyed both versions.

For another recipe, click here

34 comments:

  1. Yumm. I love shrimp. I think I'd go for the chili sauce version -- I like the spice. They both look so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oops, I forgot to add: Thanks for you kind words. The Weekend Cooking participants are the best, aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your prawns look fantastic, and I'm going to use your sauce marie rose.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Both look delicious. I've made the sauce but not with creme fraiche, have to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love prawn cocktails, I sprinkle some spring onions on top they give a nice crunch and bit of onion taste without being overpowering.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would eat both! In one sitting :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Funny I've never ventured beyond Remoulade sauce that gets its kick from horseradish. These look like good alternatives.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Both of these look delicious - and I wouldn't have had even half of an idea about that sauce - thanks for sharing the ingredients!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great idea for the sauces. I always use standard cocktail sauce. I need to shake things up!

    ReplyDelete
  10. both versions look good. i used shrimp this week, but put it in pad thai

    ReplyDelete
  11. I recently found out I have a shellfish allergy, but before I was diagnosed shrimp was one of my favorite foods. Both pictures make it look delicious!
    Thanks again for linking up to This Flourishing Life's Menu Monday :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for linking this up in my Monday menu plan last week. You are featured this week http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/06/4th-of-july-picnic-food-menu-plan-linky.html

    Have a great week, susie

    ReplyDelete
  13. they both look very appetizing...and that kick is a great idea for the sauce!!!!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love prawn cocktails yum yum :)thanks for linking up to Creative Mondays ...

    ReplyDelete
  15. The sauce looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. These look great, the sauce looks wonderful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those look great! Thanks so much for linking up at Mealtime Monday! Can’t wait to see what you like up tomorrow night!

    Kaylee
    www.couponingncooking.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Looks great Carole! You mentioned paprika! I like it. Take care and have a wonderful week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mmmm ... looks so good! I love shrimp cocktail. Visiting from Marvelous Monday - have a great week :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looks wonderful! I never thought about using "sauce marie rose", I'll have to try that next time.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and informing me of the broken link I posted on Jam's Corner. :)

    Jess

    ReplyDelete
  22. Always been one of my favourites! Never disappointed with a good prawn cocktail! Looks delicious :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yummy. I've never made my own thousand island dressing.

    Thanks for visiting my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks so much for linking this up to Marvelous Mondays! This looks delicious. I've pinned it to my food board.

    Have a wonderful evening!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love both of these but I am partial to the second one with the delicious sauce! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks so much for linking at Thursday Food Fest! Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yes! This is a perfect dish for a party or get together. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I only recently discovered sauce marie rose but have found that I like it a lot. Those are some really beautiful shrimp! Both sauces sound great. Thank you for linking, Carole!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for linking up to Sunday Social ~ Paula

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think they both turned out great ... no need for a cocktail glass!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    Raising-Reagan.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
      Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

      ¤´¨)
      ¸.•*´
      (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
      Raising-Reagan.com

      Delete
  31. I love shrimp cocktail, simple and delicious.

    Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Make sure to check back on Friday to see if you were featured.
    Leslie
    www.violetimperfection.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I remember when I was young, waaay back when, my Grandma would take me out for an early dinner at her favorite Supper Club. I always ordered Shrimp Cocktail...she would order a Manhattan! Lynn

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are most welcome. I have currently disabled anonymous comments due to unwanted spam. Cheers