Sesame Prawn Toast 🇭🇰

A Cantonese dim sum classic from Hong Kong, sesame prawn toasts are made with slices of bread topped with a prawn paste, cut into triangles, then fried in hot oil until golden and crispy - a much loved British/Chinese fusion food. They are traditionally deep fried in restaurants, but you can achieve excellent results in the home kitchen by shallow frying them using less oil and being generous with the prawns.  These little beauties make a perfect appetiser and a delectable treat for family and friends.

Makes 24  

INGREDIENTS

• 250g / 9oz raw prawns, peeled and deveined
• 6 slices of thick white bread
• 6 tablespoons white sesame seeds
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup sweet chilli sauce, to serve

For the prawn paste:

• 1 egg white
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• a pinch of ground white pepper

METHOD

1. Line a platter with paper towels.
2. Make the prawn paste by placing prawns, egg white, spring onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, sugar and white pepper into the bowl of a food processor.  Blend on medium speed until they turn into a sticky paste.
3. Place bread slices on a work surface.  Spread roughly an equal amount of prawn paste onto each slice, right up to the edges.
4. Place sesame seeds onto a flat rimmed plate.  Press each slice of bread, prawn paste side down, firmly onto the sesame seeds to coat.
5. On a cutting board, cut each slice of bread twice diagonally into 4 triangles.
6. Fry the triangles in 4 batches, 6 at a time.  Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat until hot.  Using a pair of tongs, place 6 triangle pieces carefully into the pan with the sesame seed side down.  Fry for 1-2 minutes or until the prawn paste is cooked and the sesame seeds are golden. Flip over and brown the other side, about 1 minute.  Adjust the heat and reduce it slightly if needed to avoid burning.  Transfer the toasts onto the prepared platter.
7. Repeat Step 6 x 3 more times to fry all the pieces.
8. Serve warm with sweet chilli sauce on the side.