Sesame Prawn Toast

Serves 4

Ingredients:

* 125 g/4 oz peeled cooked prawns 

* 1 tbsp cornflour 

* 2 spring onions, peeled and roughly chopped

* 2 tsp freshly grated root ginger

* 2 tsp dark soy sauce

* pinch Chinese five-spice powder ( optional )

* 1 small egg, beaten

* salt and freshly grounds black pepper

* 6 thin slices day-old white bread

* 40 g/1 1/2 oz sesame seeds

* vegetable oil for deep-frying

* chilli sauce to serve

Procedure:

Place the prawns in a food processor or blender with the cornflour,

spring onions, ginger, soy sauce and Chinese five spice bowl, if

using. Blend to a fairly smooth paste. Spoon into a bowl and stir in the

beaten egg. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cut the crust off the bread. Spread the prawns paste in an even layer

on one side of each slice. sprinkle over the sesame seeds and press down lightly.

Cut each slice diagonally into four triangles. Place on a board and chill in the refrigerator

for 30 minutes.

Pour sufficient oil into a heavy-based saucepan or deep-fat fryer so that it is one-third

full. Heat until it reaches a temperature of 180'C/

350'F. Cook the toast in batches of five or six minutes. or until lightly

browned, then turn over and cook for 1 minute more. Using a slotted 

spoon, lift out the toasts and drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Keep

warm while frying the remaining toast. Arrange on a warmed platter

and serve immediately with some chilli sauce for dipping.