Crispy Prawn Toast with Sesame and Ginger
Scottish langoustines or North Atlantic prawns blended with ginger and garlic, spread on thick-cut bread, topped with whole prawns and sesame seeds, then pan-fried until golden and finished in the oven. Served with sweet chilli dipping sauce, coriander, and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (400g) soft white unsliced bread
- 12 sustainable raw Scottish langoustines or North Atlantic shrimp, peeledlarge tiger prawns1:1confidence:4
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 cm ginger, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame oilneutral oil like groundnut or vegetable oil1:1confidence:3Full guide →
- sesame oil, extraneutral oil like groundnut or vegetable oil1:1confidence:3Full guide →
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornflourpotato starch1:1confidence:4Full guide →
- 1 medium free-range egg, separated with yolk beatenstandard egg1:1confidence:5
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 small bunch coriander, chopped plus extra leaves to serveThai basil1:1confidence:2Full guide →
- 4 tbsp sesame seeds
- sesame seeds, extra to serve
- 5 tbsp light olive oil
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- 4 tbsp sweet chilli saucesriracha thinned with honey1:1confidence:2
- 1 tbsp sesame oilneutral oil like groundnut or vegetable oil1:1confidence:3Full guide →
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350°F fan or gas 6.
- 2
Trim crusts from top and bottom of loaf. Cut two ⅔" thick slices lengthways.
- 3
Peel langoustines. Roughly chop 8 and add to food processor with garlic and ginger. Pulse to rough mixture, adding splash of water if needed.
- 4
Add sesame oil, soy sauce, cornflour, and egg white to processor. Pulse briefly.
- 5
Stir in green onions and coriander.
- 6
Spread mixture evenly over bread slices to edges. Halve remaining 4 langoustines lengthways and divide among slices.
- 7
Brush with beaten egg yolk and scatter with sesame seeds.
- 8
Heat half the olive oil in large pan over medium heat. Add one slice bread-side down and cook 2-3 minutes. Turn and cook until golden and crisp.
- 9
Place prawn-side down on oven tray and repeat with second slice.
- 10
Bake for 5 minutes or until cooked through.
- 11
Whisk together sweet chilli sauce, sesame oil, white wine vinegar, and honey.
- 12
Top toasts with coriander leaves, extra sesame seeds, and chilli flakes. Drizzle with sesame oil.
- 13
Slice and serve with dipping sauce.
Tips
Use prawn-side down on tray after pan-frying to prevent bread from becoming soggy.
Slice langoustines lengthways to distribute evenly and ensure cooked prawns in final dish.
Pulse prawn mixture briefly to maintain texture; over-processing creates paste.
Good to Know
Best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 1 day; reheat in oven at 160°C for 5 minutes to restore crispness.
Prawn mixture can be made up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated. Bread can be cut and toasted crust removed up to 2 hours prior. Assemble and cook just before serving.
Serve immediately while bread is crisp. Slice into portions and accompany with dipping sauce on the side. Garnish plate with extra coriander leaves and sesame seeds.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip trimming crusts; they prevent even cooking and crispy texture.
Do not over-pulse prawn mixture to avoid dense, pasty consistency.
Do not place cooked toast directly on hot oven tray to avoid soggy bread.
Do not skip beating egg yolk separately for proper adhesion of sesame seeds.