This recipe fromClean Eatingfeatures shrimp and mint-chili dressing in starring roles. This staple Vietnamese sauce is a simple yet flavorful addition to the kitchen table — the contrasting heating-and-cooling effects of the chili and mint leave your tastebuds wanting more.
Vietnamese Shrimp Salad with Mint-Chili Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/3 cup fresh mint
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 small clove garlic, peeled
- 1/4 teaspoon raw honey
- 1/8 teaspoon chili paste
Salad
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 6 cups romaine or butter lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups bean sprouts or julienned zucchini
- 2 Persian cucumbers (or 1/2 English cucumber), diced or thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned or grated
- 1 red Thai bird’s-eye chili or red finger chili, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup raw unsalted peanuts, toasted
Directions
For the dressing:
In a blender or food processor, purée dressing ingredients until smooth. For a chunkier texture, mince the garlic, chop the mint and whisk all ingredients together. Set aside.
For the salad:
Heat oil in a medium-sized skillet set over medium heat. Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, turning halfway, until shrimp are pink and opaque, about 4 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine lettuce, sprouts, cucumbers, carrot, chili and peanuts. Top with shrimp and drizzle with dressing; toss to coat.
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Serves: 6 | Serving Size: 2 ounces shrimp, 1.5 tablespoons sauce
Per serving:Calories: 145; Total Fat: 3g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 11g; Cholesterol: 68mg; Sodium: 205mg; Carbohydrate: 9g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 14g
Nutrition Bonus:Potassium: 391mg; Iron: 11%; Vitamin A: 79%; Vitamin C: 15%; Calcium: 6%
