Prawn Tartare with an Exotic Touch | Fresh, Light, and Full of Colour

This prawn tartare is a light and elegant entrée, perfect for summer dinners or festive occasions. Sweet prawn meat, creamy avocado, and a tropical hit from rockmelon — all balanced with lime, tomato, and a hint of smoked paprika.

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About This Dish

A refined seafood entrée that blends Mediterranean freshness with tropical flair. The natural sweetness of prawns and rockmelon meets creamy avocado and zesty lime for a perfect balance of flavours. Ideal for elegant dinners or refreshing summer lunches.

Ingredients

200g fresh prawns (cleaned and chopped)

½ avocado (diced)

Juice + zest of 1 lime

1 cherry tomato (pulp and seeds removed, finely diced)

A few small cubes of rockmelon

1 tsp mayonnaise

Salt flakes and olive oil to taste

Smoked paprika (to garnish)

How to Make It

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: — | Total Time: 10 mins

Step 1: Finely chop prawns and place in a chilled bowl.
Step 2: Add diced avocado, tomato, and small cubes of rockmelon.
Step 3: Mix gently with lime juice, zest, mayonnaise, olive oil, and salt.
Step 4: Use a ring mold to shape on a plate or spoon carefully in the center.
Step 5: Sprinkle lightly with smoked paprika and serve cold.

Tucci’s Tips

Keep the prawns very fresh and well-chilled — this is a raw-style tartare.
You can briefly blanch the prawns for 10 seconds if you prefer a softer taste.
Use extra-virgin olive oil with a fruity profile to enhance the tropical notes.

Variations

Creamy Twist: Add a teaspoon of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche for richness.
Fruity Touch: Replace rockmelon with mango or pineapple for a sweeter contrast.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a few drops of Tabasco.

Did You Know?

Fun Fact: Tartare dishes originated in early 20th-century Paris and quickly became a symbol of fine dining. Italians later reimagined the concept using seafood, bringing freshness and Mediterranean flair to the table.

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Storage

Best enjoyed fresh and cold on the same day for maximum flavour and texture.

Can it be frozen? Not suitable for freezing as raw prawns and avocado lose texture once thawed.

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