Imagine a dish that combines the succulence of perfectly seared shrimp, the crisp freshness of butter lettuce, and a smoky red pepper sauce that will transport your palate to culinary heaven. These Sizzling Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are not just a meal; they're an experience that promises to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 head of butter lettuce
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, roasted
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp by patting them dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing and remove excess moisture.
- In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the shrimp in this marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- For the smoky red pepper sauce, place roasted red bell peppers in a blender with lemon juice. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Ensure the pan is very hot before adding the shrimp.
- Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and develop a slight char. Avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a good sear.
- While shrimp are cooking, carefully separate and wash the butter lettuce leaves, creating perfect wrap cups.
- Remove shrimp from heat and let rest for 1-2 minutes to retain juiciness.
- Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter, fill each with sizzling shrimp, and drizzle with the smoky red pepper sauce.
- Serve immediately while shrimp are hot and lettuce is crisp, allowing guests to create their own wraps.
Tips
- Dry Your Shrimp: The key to achieving that perfect sear is removing excess moisture. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels before marinating.
- High Heat is Your Friend: Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan and ensure it's screaming hot before adding shrimp. This guarantees a beautiful char and prevents soggy seafood.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook shrimp in batches if necessary. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of searing, which ruins the texture.
- Marinate Briefly: Let shrimp sit in the marinade for no more than 10 minutes to prevent the acid from "cooking" the protein.
- Fresh Lettuce Matters: Choose crisp, fresh butter lettuce and separate leaves carefully to create perfect wrap cups.
- Sauce Preparation Tip: For an extra smooth smoky red pepper sauce, strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a silky texture.
- Serve Immediately: These wraps are best enjoyed hot and fresh, so time your cooking to serve right away for maximum flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 165mg
