Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Today we are going to discuss the greatness that is a lettuce wrap!  The thing I love about lettuce wraps is you feel like your eating a guilty pleasure, but if your prepare it correctly it can be a healthy treat!  I'm not saying that adding pork belly or braised spare ribs wouldn't be delicious, and if you have an extra eight hours in your day then maybe you want to go that route.  However, I'm looking for a much quicker prep time :).  Today I am making the recipe that I have always loved, but that's the great thing about lettuce wraps, they are a vessel to carry the ingredients you love the most so don't be afraid to get creative.  Think of them as the Asian Taco, anything goes (except sauerkraut, I promise)!!

Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

1. 2 cups defrosted pre-cooked shrimp, chopped
2. 1 head of iceburg lettuce, cut in half, then pull leaves apart to make cups.
3. 1 carrot, peeled.  After removing outer skin of carrot, continue peeling the carrot to make thin strips.
4. 1/2 cup of shredded purple cabbage
5. 1/3 cup of diced yellow onions
6. 1/4 teaspoon diced garlic
7. 2 tablespoons peanut oil
8. 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
9. 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
10. 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
11. 1/2 cup veggie broth
12. 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
13. 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
14. 1/4 teaspoon thyme

(Other great toppers could include peanuts, beets, radish slices, or crispy wonton strips)

Sauce
Put the oils in a large bowl, add mustard and mix together.  Whisk in slowly your soy sauce and veggie broth. Add onions, garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes. Mix well, then add the honey.  At this point you should taste the sauce, if its too spicy, add honey.  Not spicy enough, add more red pepper flakes.  If it tastes salty, spicy and delicious...and it should, then put sauce in a medium sauce pan.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 min.  the mixture will reduce by about a 1/3.  Remove sauce from pot and set aside.  Take a 1/3 of a cup of the hot sauce and return to pan.  Add shrimp and cook until heated through.  The shrimp will absorb some of the sauce, this is a very good thing!!! The remaining sauce can be used for dipping or saved for a salad dressing later in the week.  You can also use sriracha as a SPICY sauce, or teriyaki sauce for a sweeter dipper. 

You are ready to assemble your own wrap at this point.  I recommend setting the table with all your toppings separate and letting you and your friends, family, moderate acquaintances, or mail man create their own. Hey, I don't know how many friends you have...

This is a great meal to make for movie night or during a football game.  The prep is super easy and the cook time is less then 7 minutes!!! Eat Up!!!