Description
Savory vietnamese lettuce cups bring an explosion of Southeast Asian flavors dancing across your palate. Crisp lettuce leaves cradling spiced protein and drizzled with silky peanut sauce promise a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Ingredients:
- 300 grams (10 ounces) cooked prawns/shrimp, halved horizontally
Vegetable and Fresh Herb Ingredients:
- 12–20 small lettuce leaves (baby cos, butter lettuce, or iceberg)
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or pickled
- 1/2 daikon (white radish), julienned or pickled
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 2 cucumbers, julienned
- 2 cups mint leaves
- 2 cups coriander (or use chives + more mint as a sub)
- 3 red bird’s eye chillies, thinly sliced (optional)
Noodle and Garnish Ingredients:
- 75 grams (2.5 ounces) dried vermicelli noodles
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped
Quick Pickled Vegetables (optional):
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
- 1/2 daikon, peeled and julienned
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 cup rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
Vietnamese Peanut Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons lime juice (or rice vinegar)
- 1/3 cup low-fat coconut milk
- 1 large garlic clove
Instructions
- Craft vibrant pickled vegetables by dissolving sugar and salt in boiling water, then incorporating vinegar. Immerse julienned carrots and daikon, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours or store in refrigerator for extended preservation.
- Create the peanut drizzle by thoroughly blending sauce components in a mixing bowl, permitting flavors to harmonize and intensify while resting.
- Hydrate vermicelli noodles in boiling water according to package guidance, then carefully drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Transform prawns by slicing lengthwise and meticulously removing dark digestive tracts for optimal presentation and cleanliness.
- Artfully arrange platter with crisp lettuce leaves, prepared prawns, cooled noodles, pickled vegetables, aromatic herbs, and crunchy peanuts.
- Construct personalized lettuce wraps by layering noodles, pickled vegetables, fragrant herbs, and delicate prawns within each verdant leaf.
- Generously drizzle peanut sauce over assembled wrap, garnish with crushed peanuts and fiery chilli, then elegantly fold and savor the intricate flavor profile.
Notes
- Prep pickled veggies ahead of time to enhance flavor and save cooking time on the day of serving.
- Customize protein by swapping prawns with tofu, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Keep sauce ingredients at room temperature for better blending and smoother consistency.
- Rinse noodles with cold water immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a fresh, springy texture.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 150mg