I’ve probably mentioned it before but I am just absolutely hopeless with Christmas magazines. I buy them all even if they aren’t my favourites because I don’t want to miss out on any great recipes or ideas. And then Christmas Eve comes up and I’m doing my groceries and I just keep it simple as I figure I won’t have lots of time and the list of ingredients on my list is already long. I do try a few new things but not nearly as many as I probably had in my mind………
Well not this year. No this year I will try all new salads and desserts for my Christmas menu. And this recipe is so easy and delicious. While your pasta is cooking (I used a delicious gluten free rice pasta but you can you use your favourite pasta) you peel the prawns and get the salad ready then add your cooled pasta and you are done. Done.
mind you the prawns were popular this year………………………they are a bit of a luxury around here so I was quietly peeling in the kitchen (and popping a couple in my mouth) and then word got out and I had 3 little kids wanting prawns. I like to eat seafood when we go out but at home it’s pretty much tinned tuna or smoked salmon if we’re going to eat it at home. Maybe I need to do prawns more often with the reaction I got today.
But let’s talk salad…………………….leave out the prawns for a vegetarian salad and add in some feta or grilled halloumi. If you don’t like prawns then what about some smoked chicken, cooked chicken breast or ham off the bone for something different.
and you can see I get very fancy with my method of mixing the salad dressing………
- 750g cooked prawns, peeled
- 250g - 350g pasta, I used gluten free
- 1 avocado
- punnet cherry tomatoes
- handful basil leaves
- 1 red onion. sliced thinly
- a few large handfuls rocket leaves
- 1 Tbsp seeded mustard
- a few Tbsp's vinegar (I used white wine)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt, pepper
- 1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup or caster sugar
- capers (optional - not everyone shares my love of the caper) but a tsp is great sprinkled over the salad
- Cook your pasta according to the directions.
- While your pasta is cooking peel the prawns and set aside
- Now prepare the salad by slicing tomatoes in half, avocado thinly sliced
- In a large bowl assemble basil, rocket, tomato and onion
- Rinse pasta under cold water until the pasta is cold.
- Tip pasta into bowl, add in prawns and top with avocado. Don't add the prawns or avocado too early, just before you dress the salad is best for freshness.
- Make up the dressing by mixing together the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, honey and then season. I do mine in a plastic cup with a lid, a jar is great too and shake it well.
- Pour the dressing all over the salad and serve straight away.
- I would recommend that if you want to take this to a party or BBQ that you assemble minus the dressing, avocado and prawns. Take them in separate containers and assemble just before eating.
- For a crowd add more pasta and greens and an extra avocado and stretch out those prawns.
Looks good Corrie and the gluten free pasta you use is one of my favourites. I think that I might make this on boxing day with a little bit of turkey or ham (depending on what I plan). Pinning onto my Gluten Free board..
I think it’s one of the best pastas so far for me! san remo and this one! I’m thinking this will be great with a cold meat in it and is so fresh and filling:)
thank you!
Very nice looking – I am going to try the dressing part with one of my regular old salads because it looks so good. We also make a gf version of greek pasta salad that is popular in my house.
oh yum that sounds delicious! must try that as I have all the ingredients here and pasta fills it out a bit
Yum…..love the ingredient shot….that had me excited
haha it all looks so fresh:)
the new kitchen makes everything look nice too:)
And I love capers too and olives and anchovies and feta and haloumi..the more the better…I’m into roasted pumpkin, baby spinach, walnut and feta….mmmmmm and it’s GF
oh yum I’ll have to try that! walnut in a salad would be nice with feta and pumpkin! delish! I love feta but it has to be danish feta for me:)
Hi Corrie,
I love your blog, this recipe looks delicious! I have tried many of your recipes and they have all been a success. Thank you, for your wonderful recipes you have inspired me to be a better cook. I have even looked into doing a sewing class
oh thank you Tina, that is so kind of you! hope you enjoy this one!
definitely a great time to get sewing and drop lots of hints for Christmas presents:)
Yum! Looks delicious Corrie. No prawns for me this year as bubby number 4 is on the way, but I might try it with the haloumi instead. Will be missing the delicious seafood usually on our Christmas menu, but have some other yummy ideas up my sleeve. One thing I miss so much when pregnant is my sushi. My hubby always brings me a delicious sushi dinner to the hospital after bubs is born…looking forward to that already!! xxx
awwwww how sweet is he!
I’ve had a few pregnant Christmases in my time…..one year I got food poisoning even though I heated my ham, ate no seafood and I still don’t know what it was…………was awful
you take care this Christmas:)
Corrie:)
Thanks for sharing your Christmas recipes..keep them coming! Just love your recipes!!
oh thank you! I love making them:)
Looks really deeeelicious. We love prawns. Especially during Christmas time. I only have one child who doesn’t like prawns. The others love them. It would be great as leftover lunch. Mmmm prawn cocktails… Thanks for sharing.
yum yes prawn cocktails!!!!!!!!! love a good one:)
Thank you for sharing, definitely have to try this:)
pleasure, was so delicious but now I really want prawns everytime I click on my blog:)
Hi Corrie was reading this post, like I do with all your posts. But I stopped at the gorgeous photo of you and Finn, it is just beautiful. I am a mum of 2 little ones and find there are never any photos of the kids with me, probably because I am always the one taking them:) Thank you for such a lovely website it is a pleasure to read xx