Christmas snacks with a spicy twist

Photographs: Winnie Tango / iStock

Text: Winnie Tango

How do you usually celebrate Christmas in your own culture? I'm from Hong Kong, and we love to go out and enjoy Christmas at a restaurant. For couples, it's one of the most romantic days of the year, but it's usually enjoyed with the entire family. Even the skyscrapers of Hong Kong and businesses are lit up and decorated to the hilt. We don't have a traditional Asian dish for Christmas, but this issue I will show you how to prepare quick party food that can be served as a snack for Christmas, but with an Asian twist.

Spicy Asian Christmas bites

Preparation & Cooking time: 20 min

Ingredients:

250g Argentinian red shrimp - (alternatively use Tiger Prawns)

½ tsp olive oil

1tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp curry powder

½ tsp coriander powder

½ tsp garlic powder

Pinch of salt (according to your own taste)

1 tsp paprika

100g mayonnaise

One mango - diced

One small jar of roe

Fresh herbs of your choice, e.g. dill, basil or coriander

One box of cocktail pastry cups tarteletter (These can be found in most Meny Supermarkets)

Method:

#1 Add ½ tsp olive oil to a pan and add the prawns. Cook for around 3 minutes per side,

add spices and salt to taste. Once cooked, allow to cool and set aside.

#2 Mix the paprika powder with mayonnaise and place it in a ziplock bag. Cut a

small hole in the corner of the bag.

#3 This is the fun bit, stacking and decoration! Squeeze out the mayonnaise mixture into

the bottom of the pastry cup. Spoon the cooked shrimp on top of the mayonnaise mix.

Next decorate with some of the diced mango, roe and fresh herbs.

TIPS AND HINTS

It can be hard finding ingredients from your hometown, but supermarkets are becoming more varied with what they stock. If you prefer a stronger flavour with this recipe, you can use Thai basil and Asian coriander which can be found at most Meny supermarkets, or speciality stores.