Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Lime Dipping Sauce

These colorful wraps mimic Vietnamese spring rolls. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 hour. Notes: Cellophane noodles--also called bean thread or glass noodles--are available at Asian grocery stores and most large supermarkets, as are the other Asian ingredients used here; rice sticks or vermicelli may be substituted (follow package directions to prepare). If possible, use hydroponically grown Boston or butter lettuce sold in sturdy plastic containers that protect the leaves.

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 3/4  pound  (16 to 20 per lb.) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper
• 1  package (3 3/4 oz.) cellophane noodles (see notes)
• 2  tablespoons  rice vinegar
• 1/2  to 1 teaspoon hot chile flakes
• 2  tablespoons  fresh lime juice (about 3 small limes)
• 2  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  tablespoon  sugar
• 4  tablespoons  Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla)
• 2  heads Boston or butter lettuce, cores trimmed and leaves separated, rinsed, and drained
• 1  large carrot, peeled, ends trimmed, and grated lengthwise into ribbons
• 1/4  cup  basil leaves
• 1/4  cup  cilantro leaves
• 1/4  cup  mint leaves
• 1/4  cup  dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Preparation

1. Put shrimp, salt, and pepper in a pot and add cold water to just cover shrimp. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until shrimp are bright pink and tails are curled, about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to a colander and let cool.

2. Put cellophane noodles in a medium pot and cover with hot water. Cover pot and set aside until noodles are softened, at least 15 minutes. Drain noodles and (using kitchen scissors) cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Return noodles to pot, drizzle with rice vinegar, and toss. Cover and set aside.

3. In a small bowl, mix chile flakes and lime juice and let sit several minutes. Add garlic, sugar, and fish sauce; whisk until sugar is dissolved. Transfer sauce to a serving dish.

4. To assemble wraps, arrange some noodles in the middle of each lettuce leaf and top with 1 shrimp. Garnish with carrot, basil, cilantro, mint, and peanuts. Tuck up the bottom of each leaf and fold sides inward to eat. Drizzle with or dip into sauce.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

121 (23% from fat)

Protein:

8.2g

Fat:

3.1g (sat 0.5)

Carbohydrate:

15g

Fiber:

1.4g

Sodium:

374mg

Cholesterol:

42mg