Name: Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: For Garlic Prawns; 2 tbsp garlic olive oil; 3 garlic cloves; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 2 tbsp juice of lemon; 500 g king prawns; ¼ cup Fresh Parsley; For Avocado Salad; prawns; 1 avocado; 1 tomato; 2 tbsp juice of lemon; salt; 1 loaf ciabatta bread

This delicious garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe is perfect for any occasion, offering a blend of savory and fresh flavors. The crispy ciabatta bread serves as the ideal base for the creamy avocado salad and succulent garlic prawns.

Photos of Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe

While most ingredients for this recipe are common, you may need to hunt down king prawns if they are not a staple in your household. Additionally, using garlic olive oil instead of regular olive oil can elevate the flavor, and sweet paprika might not be in everyone's spice rack.

Ingredients For Garlic Prawn And Avocado Crostini

Garlic olive oil: This oil, infused with garlic, adds a rich and aromatic flavor to the prawns.

Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic enhances the savory taste of the prawns.

Sweet paprika: A milder variety of paprika that adds a touch of sweetness and color.

Juice of lemon: Fresh lemon juice adds a zesty and refreshing note.

King prawns: These large, juicy prawns are the star of the dish.

Fresh parsley: Adds a burst of freshness and color.

Avocado: Creamy and rich, perfect for balancing the flavors.

Tomato: Adds juiciness and a slight acidity to the salad.

Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.

Ciabatta bread: This crusty bread forms the base for the crostini.

One reader, Devland Medley says:

This garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe is a game-changer! The flavors blend perfectly, and the dish is both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect for entertaining or a light meal. Highly recommend!

Devland Medley

Techniques Required for Making Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini

How to grill or broil bread: Preheat the oven to grill or broil settings on medium-high heat. Place the bread on a baking tray lightly greased with cooking oil spray or oil. Grill or broil until golden.

How to cook garlic prawns: Combine garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and prawns in a bowl and mix well to combine the ingredients. Add salt to season. Drizzle garlic oil onto a large frying pan or skillet. Heat over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add the parsley, and cook for a further 2 minutes until prawns change color.

How to make avocado salad: Combine avocado, tomato, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl, mixing well to combine. Add the cooked prawns and fold through gently until just combined.

How To Make Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini

This easy and simple crostini recipe will give a flavorful twist to your morning bread tossed with creamy garlic, lemon-infused prawns, and avocado.

Preparation: 10 minutes

Cooking: 10 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

For Garlic Prawns

2tbspgarlic olive oil
3garlic clovesminced
1tspsweet paprika
2tbspjuice of lemon
500gking prawnsno tail, peeled, and deveined
¼cupfresh parsleyfinely chopped

For Avocado Salad

prawnscooked
1avocadocubed
1tomatoripe, diced
2tbspjuice of lemon
saltto season
1loafciabatta breador sourdough vienna bread, cut into 1cm slices

Instructions

Preheat oven to grill or broil settings on medium-high heat. Place bread on a baking tray lightly greased with cooking oil spray or oil.
Grill or broil until golden. Remove and set aside.

Garlic Prawns

Combine garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and prawns in a bowl and mix well to combine the ingredients. Add salt to season.
Drizzle garlic oil onto a large frying pan or skillet. Heat over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes.
Reduce heat to low. Add the parsley and cook for a further 2 minutes until prawns change color. Set aside.

Salad

Combine avocado, tomato, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl, mixing well to combine.
Add the prawns and fold through gently until just combined. Spoon prawn and avocado mixture onto toasted bread.
Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 221.40kcal
Fat: 7.94g
Saturated Fat: 1.32g
Trans Fat: 0.02g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.45g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.48g
Carbohydrates: 26.05g
Fiber: 5.26g
Sugar: 3.40g
Protein: 13.36g
Cholesterol: 63.00mg
Sodium: 514.16mg
Calcium: 168.07mg
Potassium: 599.70mg
Iron: 5.42mg
Vitamin A: 291.89µg
Vitamin C: 86.66mg

Technique Tip for Perfect Crostini

When preparing the garlic prawns, ensure the frying pan or skillet is adequately heated before adding the prawns. This helps to sear the prawns quickly, locking in their natural juices and enhancing their flavor.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Crostini

Prepare ingredients ahead: Chop garlic, parsley, and tomato in advance to save time during cooking.

Use pre-cooked prawns: Opt for pre-cooked king prawns to reduce cooking time.

Toast bread in bulk: Grill or broil the entire ciabatta loaf at once and store in an airtight container.

Make salad in advance: Prepare the avocado salad earlier and refrigerate until ready to use.

One-pan cooking: Cook the garlic prawns and parsley in the same pan to minimize cleanup.

Substitute Ingredients For Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe

garlic olive oil - Substitute with regular olive oil: You can add minced garlic to regular olive oil to achieve a similar flavor.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for each garlic clove to maintain the garlic flavor.
sweet paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: This will add a smoky flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the dish.
juice of lemon - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor.
king prawns - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp are similar in texture and flavor, making them a suitable alternative.
fresh parsley - Substitute with fresh cilantro: Cilantro offers a fresh, slightly different flavor but works well in seafood dishes.
avocado - Substitute with mashed peas: Mashed peas provide a similar creamy texture and a mild flavor.
tomato - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell pepper adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color.
ciabatta bread - Substitute with baguette: Baguette has a similar texture and can be toasted to achieve the same crispiness.

Best Way to Present Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini

Use artisanal bread: Slice the ciabatta bread into even, thin slices to ensure a delicate crunch and uniformity in presentation.
Golden toast perfection: Grill or broil the ciabatta bread slices until they achieve a perfect golden-brown hue, ensuring an appealing contrast with the toppings.
Garlic prawn preparation: Marinate the king prawns with garlic, sweet paprika, and lemon juice, then sauté in garlic olive oil until they turn a vibrant pink, adding a touch of fresh parsley for color and freshness.
Avocado salad assembly: Dice the avocado and tomato, then mix with lemon juice and a pinch of salt to create a refreshing and creamy salad base.
Combine with care: Gently fold the sautéed prawns into the avocado salad, ensuring the delicate ingredients remain intact and well-distributed.
Elegant plating: Spoon the prawn and avocado mixture onto the toasted ciabatta bread slices, ensuring each piece is generously topped for a visually appealing and balanced bite.
Garnish with finesse: Finish each crostini with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley and a light drizzle of garlic olive oil to enhance the flavors and add a touch of elegance.
Serve with style: Arrange the crostini on a pristine white platter, spacing them evenly to highlight their individual beauty and making them easy to pick up and enjoy.

Essential Tools for Making Crostini

Oven: Used for grilling or broiling the bread until golden.
Baking tray: Holds the bread while it is being grilled or broiled in the oven.
Cooking oil spray: Lightly greases the baking tray to prevent the bread from sticking.
Mixing bowl: Combines the garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and prawns.
Frying pan: Cooks the garlic prawns over medium-high heat.
Spatula: Stirs and folds the prawns and avocado mixture gently.
Knife: Slices the avocado and tomato for the salad.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for slicing the avocado and tomato.
Measuring spoons: Measures the garlic olive oil, paprika, and lemon juice accurately.
Serving platter: Presents the finished garlic prawn and avocado crostini.

How To Store and Freeze Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini

To store leftover garlic prawn and avocado crostini, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The bread may lose its crispness over time, but you can easily refresh it by toasting the crostini in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
If you want to prepare the components ahead of time, you can store the cooked garlic prawns and the avocado salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, toast the bread and assemble the crostini.
To freeze the garlic prawns, allow them to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw the prawns in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them gently in a pan with a little olive oil before assembling the crostini.
It is not recommended to freeze the avocado salad or the assembled crostini, as the avocado and bread will not maintain their texture and quality after being frozen and thawed.
If you have leftover ciabatta bread, you can slice and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply thaw the bread at room temperature and toast it before assembling the crostini.

How To Reheat Crostini Leftovers

To reheat leftover garlic prawn and avocado crostini, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature will help to warm up the crostini without drying out the prawns or making the bread too crispy.
Place the leftover crostini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If the avocado mixture has become a bit soggy, you can scrape it off and set it aside to be reheated separately.
Brush the bread lightly with some olive oil to help it crisp up again in the oven. If you have any leftover garlic olive oil from the original recipe, using that will help to enhance the flavors.
Bake the crostini in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is warmed through and slightly crispy. Keep a close eye on them to make sure they don't burn.
While the bread is warming up, you can reheat the prawn and avocado mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of lemon juice to help revive the flavors and keep the mixture from drying out.
Once the prawn and avocado mixture is heated through, carefully spoon it back onto the warm crostini. If desired, you can garnish with some fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for added color and flavor.
Alternatively, if you prefer a cold appetizer, you can skip the reheating process altogether. Simply remove the crostini from the refrigerator about 15-20 minutes before serving to let them come to room temperature. This will help to bring out the flavors and textures of the dish.
If the avocado has turned a bit brown from oxidation, you can carefully scrape off the top layer to reveal the bright green flesh underneath. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also help to prevent further browning.

Random Fact About Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini

A fun fact about this garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe is that prawns are a great source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. Combining them with avocado, which is rich in healthy fats and vitamins, makes this dish not only delicious but also nutritious.

Is Making Crostini at Home Economical?

This garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe is relatively cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like king prawns, avocado, and ciabatta bread are moderately priced, while items like garlic, lemon, and parsley are inexpensive. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $25-$30 USD. Considering the delightful combination of flavors and the nutritional benefits, this recipe scores a solid 8 out of 10 in terms of cost-effectiveness and overall value.

Is This Crostini Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?

This garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutrient-dense ingredients like:

Avocado: Rich in healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins
Tomato: A good source of lycopene, vitamin C, and antioxidants
Prawns: Low in calories and high in protein, selenium, and vitamin B12
Garlic: Contains allicin, which has potential health benefits

However, there are some concerns:

Ciabatta bread: High in refined carbohydrates and low in fiber
Garlic olive oil: While olive oil is healthy, the recipe uses a significant amount, which can increase calorie content
Lack of vegetables: The recipe could benefit from more diverse vegetables to increase its nutritional value

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Swap ciabatta bread for a whole grain or sourdough variety to increase fiber content and reduce refined carbohydrates
Reduce the amount of garlic olive oil used in cooking the prawns, or use a cooking spray to minimize added fats
Add more vegetables to the avocado salad, such as cucumber, bell peppers, or leafy greens, to boost the dish's vitamin and mineral content
Serve the crostini with a side salad to further increase the meal's overall nutritional value
Use low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese as a spread on the bread to add protein and calcium while reducing the need for excessive oil

Editor's Thoughts on This Crostini Recipe

This garlic prawn and avocado crostini recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The garlic prawns, with their zesty lemon and paprika seasoning, provide a robust and savory contrast to the creamy avocado salad. The toasted ciabatta adds a satisfying crunch, making each bite a harmonious blend of freshness and richness. The use of fresh parsley enhances the dish with a hint of herbal brightness. Overall, it's an elegant and versatile appetizer that can be served warm or cold, perfect for any occasion.

Enhance Your Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Complement your garlic prawn and avocado crostini with a side of roasted asparagus drizzled with a hint of lemon zest. The crispness of the asparagus paired with the citrusy zing will elevate your appetizer to new heights.

Mango and Cucumber Salad: Add a refreshing twist with a mango and cucumber salad. The sweetness of mango and the cool crunch of cucumber create a delightful contrast, making each bite of your crostini even more enjoyable.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: Warm up your guests with a bowl of creamy tomato basil soup. The rich, velvety texture of the soup and the aromatic basil will harmonize beautifully with the flavors of your crostini.

Grilled Peach and Burrata: For a touch of elegance, serve grilled peach slices topped with burrata cheese. The smoky sweetness of the peaches and the creamy burrata will add a sophisticated flair to your appetizer spread.

Herbed Quinoa Salad: Balance the richness of your crostini with a light and nutritious herbed quinoa salad. The earthy quinoa mixed with fresh herbs and a splash of citrus will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dish.

Other Crostini Recipes to Try

Shrimp and Avocado Salad: Imagine a refreshing salad bursting with flavors of succulent shrimp, creamy avocado, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Tossed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette and garnished with fresh cilantro, this dish is perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant appetizer.

Crab and Avocado Toast: Elevate your brunch game with this luxurious crab and avocado toast. The creamy avocado spread is topped with sweet, tender crab meat and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a hint of heat. Serve on crispy sourdough bread for the ultimate treat.

Smoked Salmon Crostini: Delight your guests with these elegant smoked salmon crostini. A layer of creamy goat cheese is spread on toasted baguette slices, topped with silky smoked salmon, and finished with a touch of dill and a squeeze of lemon. Perfect for any gathering.

Caprese Bruschetta: Transport yourself to Italy with this classic Caprese bruschetta. Juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil are drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze and served on crispy baguette slices. A simple yet delightful appetizer.

Mango and Shrimp Ceviche: Experience a burst of tropical flavors with this mango and shrimp ceviche. Fresh shrimp is marinated in lime juice and mixed with sweet mango, crunchy red onion, and spicy jalapeño. Serve with tortilla chips for a refreshing and zesty appetizer.

Suggested Main Courses and Desserts to Pair with Crostini

Main Courses:

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken: Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken is a delightful dish that combines the zesty freshness of lemon with aromatic herbs. The chicken is marinated in a blend of lemon juice, garlic, and a mix of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Grilling the chicken ensures a smoky flavor while keeping it juicy and tender. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. This dish is perfect for a summer evening or a casual dinner party, offering a burst of flavors that will impress your guests.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill Sauce: Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill Sauce is a sophisticated yet simple dish that highlights the rich, buttery flavor of salmon. The salmon is seasoned with salt and pepper, then seared to perfection in a hot skillet. The accompanying dill sauce is made with fresh dill, lemon juice, and a touch of yogurt or sour cream, adding a creamy, tangy contrast to the fish. Pair this dish with steamed asparagus or garlic mashed potatoes for a well-rounded meal. Ideal for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit.

Desserts:

Chocolate Lava Cake: Imagine a rich, molten chocolate center oozing out as you cut into a perfectly baked cake. This decadent treat is a crowd-pleaser, combining the warmth of a freshly baked cake with the indulgence of melted chocolate. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of luxury. The contrast between the warm chocolate and the cold ice cream creates a delightful experience for your taste buds.

Lemon Meringue Pie: Envision a buttery, flaky crust filled with a tangy lemon curd and topped with a cloud of golden-brown meringue. This classic dessert offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. The lemon curd provides a zesty punch, while the meringue adds a light, airy texture. Serve it chilled to enhance the refreshing citrus notes, making it an ideal end to a meal, especially during warmer months.

Why trust this Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe:

This recipe combines the rich flavors of garlic prawns with the creamy texture of avocado for a delightful appetizer. The use of fresh parsley and lemon juice adds a refreshing zest, while the ciabatta bread provides a satisfying crunch. Each step is straightforward, ensuring even novice cooks can achieve a gourmet result. Trust in the quality ingredients and simple instructions to deliver a dish that will impress your guests.

Want to share your experience making this Garlic Prawn and Avocado Crostini Recipe? Join the discussion in the Recipe Sharing forum and let us know how it turned out!

FAQ:

How do I know when the prawns are cooked?

The prawns are cooked when they turn pink and opaque. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on their size. Just make sure they’re not translucent anymore.

Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen prawns. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.

What can I use instead of ciabatta bread?

You can use any crusty bread like a baguette or sourdough. Just slice it thinly and toast it as directed.

How long can I store the prawn and avocado mixture?

It’s best to serve the prawn and avocado mixture fresh. If you need to store it, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day, but the avocado might brown a bit.

Can I make the garlic prawns ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the garlic prawns ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just reheat them gently before adding to the avocado salad to avoid overcooking.