Equipment
Ingredients
Peanut-Fish Sauce Dressing
- 60 g creamy peanut butter
- 30 ml hoisin sauce
- 15 ml fish sauce
- 30 ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 g lime zest, finely grated
- 45 ml warm water
Noodles and Base
- 200 g rice vermicelli noodles, dry
- 150 g butter lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 15 g fresh mint, leaves picked from stems
- 15 g fresh cilantro, leaves picked from stems
- 15 g fresh thai basil, leaves picked from stems
Shrimp
- 400 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 15 ml neutral cooking oil
- 2 garlic, minced
Garnish
- 30 g roasted peanuts, crushed
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and lime zest. Gradually whisk in the warm water until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rice vermicelli noodles and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain in a colander and immediately rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
Heat the neutral cooking oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are entirely opaque pink and reach an internal temperature of 63 Celsius or 145 Fahrenheit.
Divide the torn butter lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. Top the lettuce with the cooled rice vermicelli noodles, then scatter the fresh mint, cilantro, and Thai basil leaves generously over each portion.
Arrange the cooked shrimp over the noodle and herb beds. Drizzle the prepared peanut-fish sauce dressing generously over the top of each bowl, and finish by scattering the crushed roasted peanuts. Serve immediately.
Chef's Notes
- To achieve the authentic flavor profile of a summer roll, do not skimp on the fresh herbs. The combination of mint, cilantro, and basil creates the characteristic aromatic freshness.
- If your peanut butter contains added sugar, you may want to balance the dressing with an extra splash of lime juice or fish sauce to maintain the savory profile.
- When preparing this meal in advance, keep the noodles, herbs, shrimp, and dressing in separate containers. Toss together right before eating to prevent the herbs from wilting and the noodles from absorbing all the dressing prematurely.
Storage
Refrigerator: 2 days — Store the dressing, cooked shrimp, and fresh vegetables in separate airtight containers to maintain texture.
