LETTUCE CUPS WITH SPICY SHRIMP & GLASS NOODLES

By jarren

This is an incredibly tasty salad and is a really fun and light way to start dinner party. You can use any type of noodles you like. Buckwheat soba noodles taste great and this would also make this a wheat free choice.

Ingredients

• 1 large head iceberg or butter lettuce, leaves separated
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
• 1/2 fresh red chile, seeded and chopped finely
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 lime, zest and juice of
• 2 tablespoons chili paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons chives or green onion, chopped finely
• 2 cups cooked shrimp meat
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large eggplant, diced into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (9-ounce) package glass noodles*
• 1 large mango, diced into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups fresh basil, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thinly
• 1 1/2 cups peanuts, lightly roasted and chopped

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Wash lettuce and store leaves in paper towel.

Place vinegar, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan and gently heat until crystals dissolve.

Remove from heat and add garlic, chili and sesame oil. Allow to cool and then add lime zest and juice.

Combine chili paste, sesame oil and chives in a small bowl. Add shrimp and marinate in fridge until needed.

Heat vegetable oil in frying pan and saute the eggplant cubes, turning occasionally until just tender and browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. You will have to do this in several batches.

Remove from heat, place in colander, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and leave to drain.

Cook noodles according to package instructions.

Drain and rinse with cold water and lay the noodles on a clean towel to dry.

Toss noodles with the cooled dressing, cooked eggplant, mango, basil, cilantro, mint, red onions, and chopped peanuts and place in bowl. Lay shrimp on top and keep cool until serving.

Stack the lettuce leaves on a platter and place the salad beside it. Let guests make their own salad "taco" on individual plates.

*Glass noodles are available at most Asian grocery stores.