I had never thought of food as fashionable but Prawn Cocktail seems to be (or should I now say unfashionable). I almost feel guilty for liking it but it is quick and easy to make at home and is still a guilty pleasure.
It's always worth keeping prawns in the freezer as they don't take long to defrost for that impromptu dinner. I'm not sure that I've ever used a specific recipe for Marie Rose sauce but maybe once I used one for inspiration. I now throw things together and it is one of those instinctive dishes I like to create. A family member repeatedly points out that it is easier to buy a jar of sauce, but for me there is no comparison and it takes less time to make it than to drive to the supermarket. So go ahead and surprise yourself ... retro food really does taste good.
To serve two people start by putting 4-6 heaped tablespoons of mayonnaise in a bowl (I like to use half normal mayo and half garlic mayo). Add one teaspoon of tomato ketchup and one teaspoon tomato puree and stir through. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (I like to use a shake of celery salt). Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and ensure thoroughly mixed. Stir in prawns reserving a couple for decoration.
In your best dish arrange whatever green stuff you have to hand ... lettuce, rocket, spinach, baby leaf. Spoon prawns and sauce on top and sprinkle with a shake of paprika before serving with a wedge of lemon.
For a different twist add finely chopped capers / gherkins. In fact as I am repeatedly discovering, you can do anything you like ... and if you don't like it, don't do it again!
