Prawns in Pink Sauce

Prawns in pink sauce are a fresh and delicious appetizer, perfect for special occasions or simply for a summer meal. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 400 g of cleaned prawns
• 200 g of mayonnaise
• 50 g of ketchup
• 2 tablespoons of brandy or cognac
• A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
• A pinch of salt
• Pepper to taste
• Juice of half a lemon
• Lettuce or other green leaves for presentation (optional)
• Lemon slices and parsley for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cooking the prawns if they are raw. You can boil them in salted boiling water for a few minutes (usually from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the size of the prawns), until they turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, drain them and let them cool.
2. In the meantime, prepare the pink sauce by mixing in a bowl the mayonnaise, ketchup, brandy, a few drops of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt, pepper to taste, and the juice of half a lemon. Mix well to obtain a smooth sauce.
3. If you wish, you can cut the prawns into pieces or leave them whole. At this step, it’s important to consider that if cut, they will blend better with the sauce.
4. Add the cooled prawns to the pink sauce and mix gently to ensure they are evenly flavored.
5. Let it rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving, so the flavors can meld together well.
6. Serve the prawns in pink sauce on a bed of lettuce or other green leaves for a touch of freshness and crispiness. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley.

Curiosity

Pink sauce, also known as cocktail sauce in some countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, is a variation of the Marie Rose sauce, which includes additional ingredients beyond mayonnaise and ketchup, like mustard, Tabasco, and other spicy seasonings. The pink sauce we know in Italy is a sweeter and less spicy version, adapted to the Italian palate.

Enjoy your meal!