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Prawnarama

Prawnarama

Prawns oxidise very quickly so use fresh, cooked-on-the-boat wild king prawns instead of green ones. Most of the flavour in this prawn cocktail comes from the stock, wine and vinegar reduction. This type of reduction is often used as a base in butter sauces but it works just as well in a mayonnaise. If you live in Queensland, you could use banana prawns and call this banana(prawn)arama.

Prawnarama

Serves 8
Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 1 hr 55 mins
16   cooked king prawns (see note), peeled (shells reserved) and intestinal tract removed
250 ml   white wine
1½ tbsp   white wine vinegar
3   egg yolks
1 tsp   Dijon mustard
125 ml   (½ cup) olive oil
1 bunch   tarragon leaves, picked and finely chopped
Few spoonfuls   of salmon or flying fish roe (optional), plus extra to serve
16   inner radicchio leaves, trimmed and washed, to serve
To serve:   thickly sliced Hass avocado (about ½)


1 Place the prawn shells in a saucepan, cover completely with water, bring to the boil and simmer until well flavoured (1 hour). Strain liquid into a clean saucepan, discarding shells, and cook over high heat until reduced to 125ml (30-40 minutes). Add white wine and vinegar and reduce until syrupy but not burnt (10-15 minutes). Cool and set aside.
2 Whisk egg yolks, mustard and wine reduction in a bowl. While whisking, gradually add oil, starting with one drop at time, then in a thin steady stream until thick and emulsified, season to taste. Fold through tarragon, and salmon or flying fish roe, if desired, to taste.
3 Place a peeled prawn in each radicchio leaf, add a slice of avocado and dress with mayonnaise and extra salmon or flying fish roe, if desired. Serve immediately.

Note Use fresh, wild-caught king prawns where available.

Drink Suggestion Ripe, tropical-fruity verdelho from the Swan Valley.

RECIPE Hugh Wennerbom & Mary Ellen Hudson PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Dearnley STYLING Geraldine Munoz DRINK SUGGESTION Max Allen


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