If you’re looking for a deliciously different shrimp dish, try making up a platter of these Thai Shrimp Mini Lettuce Wraps! These bite-size wraps are great party finger food (great with beer, as well as wine and cocktails), or make up a batch as an entree for dinner. Based on the traditional Thai appetizer ‘Miang Kum’ this fresh Thai appetizer is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients:

• 1 (packed) cup cooked baby shrimp
• 1 head romaine lettuce (or 1 package prepared romaine lettuce leaves)
• 1/3 c dry shredded unsweetened coconut (baking type)
• 1/3 c dry roasted peanuts (ground or finely chopped)
• 2 green onions (sliced up very finely)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
• 2 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 fresh red chili (minced, or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried crushed chili)
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 Tab fish sauce (available in the Asian section of your supermarket, or at Asian stores)
• 3 Tab coconut milk
• 1/2 to 1 fresh lime (sliced into wedges)
• 1/3 cup fresh coriander (cilantro)

Directions:

1. Place coconut in a dry wok or frying pan set over medium-high heat.
2. ‘Dry-fry’ it by stirring continually until it turns light golden-brown and is fragrant.
3. Immediately transfer your toasted coconut to a bowl and set aside to cool.
4. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen baby shrimp, make sure they are well drained (gently squeeze out any excess water with your hands). If using larger shrimp, chop them up small.
5. Place shrimp in a mixing bowl.
6. Add most of the ground or finely chopped peanuts to the mixing bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon for garnish.
7. Now add the green onions, garlic, ginger, chili, chili powder, sugar, and fish sauce.
8. Stir or toss everything together well in the bowl.
9. Add the coconut milk and gently stir again.
10. Finally, add the toasted coconut, reserving 1 tablespoon for garnish.
11. Stir again.
12. Taste-test this mixture – you should taste a combination of spicy and salty, plus a hint of sweetness (there will also be a slightly sour note later when the lime juice is added). If you’d like it saltier, add a
    little more fish sauce. If too sour for your taste, add a little more sugar. If you prefer more coconut flavor, add 1 more tablespoon coconut milk (don’t add too much, though, or it will soak through the
    lettuce leaves – you want a sandwich spread like consistency).
13. To assemble the appetizer, chop off the tops of 10-12 romaine lettuce leaves (3 to 4-inch pieces) and set on a platter.
14. Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of the shrimp mixture onto each leaf.
15. Now top each one with a sprinkling of the reserved ground peanuts and toasted coconut.
16. Add a final sprinkling of fresh coriander, and serve with the lime wedges (set these in a small pile in the middle of the platter).
17. When ready to eat, squeeze some lime over the shrimp mixture, then wrap up and enjoy a bite-size explosion of Thai flavors!

Serves:  Makes 10 – 12

Source:  The Spruce Eats