Check out my extra special prawn cocktail sauce recipe!
Prawn cocktail was around in the '60s, '70s and '80s when it was very popular as a starter but with that said it's still served to this day.
Old fashioned it may be, but I love prawn cocktail then again, is there much I don't like in the way of food - possibly not!
Simple to make, just shred a few lettuce leaves, I use iceberg lettuce for its crispness.
What is prawn cocktail sauce made of?
Prawn Cocktails are served with a Prawn Cocktail Sauce (it's also known as Marie Rose Sauce) which is made of mayonnaise, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.
I like to spruce mine up a bit so it's actually more like a Thousand Island dressing because of the addition of gherkins and capers.
Put some prawns on top of the lettuce. I've never measured the amounts I used to make the dressing - just taste as you go and add a bit more of whatever you feel it needs.
So therefore please note, the amounts in the following recipe are a rough guide - you can make
any amount you wish.
Be sure to very finely chop the capers and
gherkins - you don't want big lumps in the sauce.

Prawn Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of Hellmann's mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of Heinz tomato ketchup
- 1 or 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 3 or 4 small gherkins - finely chopped
- 10 capers - rinsed well and finely chopped
- A squirt of fresh lemon juice - to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 handfuls Prawns
- Iceberg lettuce - shredded
- Lemon wedges to serve
Instructions
- Just mix the lot together and have a taste.
- The sauce should be lovely and bright in colour and taste nice and tangy.
- You may want to add a little more Worcestershire sauce or ketchup.
- Serve the sauce on top of the lettuce and prawns, a little more black pepper and a wedge of lemon.
Great looking prawn cocktail Jan. I can't eat prawns unfortunately. When I first started working as a chef years and years ago,it was as the pastry Chef in the Old Orchard In in Nova Scotia. I was responsible for all the appetizers and desserts. Prawn Cocktail was one of the things I had to make. The Prawns came brined in these huge jars. I used to make the coctail sauce out of ketchup, horseradish and mayo. Not much has changed! I love your addition of chopped gerkins!
ReplyDeleteThe ultimate comfort food - wouldn't be the Christmas season without it! Crispy french bread a neccessity.....
ReplyDeleteOH, did prawn cocktail go out of style? lol
ReplyDeleteI've been eating this starter since you were in the Benny Hill show! ;)
Looks good to me!co
ReplyDeleteThat looks really tasty!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! A great way to start any meal!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan ... I'm getting caught up on all my favorite blogs! I love prawn cocktail, and could eat it on a regular basis! I really like your cocktail sauce ... especially the capers! YUM! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteA tasty way to enjoy shrimp!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I love prawn cocktail, and your sauce sounds super.
ReplyDeleteHave a very Happy New Year.
It has been a pleasure to get to know you over the past year Jan. I can't wait for 2009 and all that it will bring..with tasty dishes like this prawn cocktail as well. Have a safe and happy New Year!!
ReplyDeletewould love to have some! :o) HAPPY NEW YEAR and here's to more lovely creations in 2009!
ReplyDeleteHNY Jan. Can't go wrong with shrimp cocktail!
ReplyDeleteLoving the prawn cocktail Jan. It's still a hit with me.
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds delicious.