Snack: Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Lime Dipping Sauce

These colorful lettuce wraps with shrimp mimic Vietnamese spring rolls. You'll find cellophane noodles—also called bean thread or glass noodles—and the other Asian ingredients used here at Asian grocery stores and most large supermarkets. Rice sticks or v

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Nuts, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Lime Dipping Sauce

Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

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

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.

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