Equipment
Ingredients
Marie Rose Sauce
- 100 g mayonnaise
- 40 g ketchup
- 5 ml worcestershire sauce
- 2 ml tabasco sauce
- 10 ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 5 ml cognac
Prawn Cocktail Base
- 300 g cooked king prawns, peeled and deveined
- 200 g iceberg lettuce, whole leaves
- 4 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 g smoked paprika
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice, and cognac in a mixing bowl. Whisk until perfectly smooth and evenly colored.
Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator at 4°C/39°F for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors of the Marie Rose sauce to meld and develop.
Thoroughly wash the iceberg lettuce and pat it completely dry using paper towels. Use a sharp chef knife on a chopping board to finely shred the leaves.
Divide the shredded iceberg lettuce evenly among four cocktail glasses or small glass bowls, creating a crisp, airy base.
Ensure the cooked prawns are entirely dry by pressing them gently between paper towels, then arrange them in an even layer on top of the shredded lettuce in each glass.
Spoon the chilled Marie Rose sauce generously over the prawns, making sure the seafood is well coated in the dressing.
Garnish each serving with a light dusting of smoked paprika and perch a lemon wedge on the rim of the cocktail glasses. Serve immediately while crisp and cold.
Chef's Notes
- For the best texture, ensure your prawns are thoroughly dried with paper towels before assembling. Any residual moisture will dilute the Marie Rose sauce and pool at the bottom of the glass.
- While pre-cooked prawns are traditional and convenient, poaching raw prawns gently in a court bouillon and plunging them into ice water yields a superior, sweeter flavor and firmer snap.
- The dash of Cognac is optional but highly recommended. It elevates the sauce by adding a subtle depth and cutting through the richness of the mayonnaise without making it overly boozy.
- Keep the iceberg lettuce in ice water for 10 minutes before drying and shredding. This maximizes its crispness, providing the perfect textural contrast to the soft prawns.
Storage
Refrigerator: 1 day — Assemble just before serving. Components can be kept separately in airtight containers.
