I just love restaurant-quality meals that are simple enough to make at home, and this one is no exception! This is a fun twist on lettuce wraps that will impress your family (and company) for sure! Plus, since lentils are one of the fastest cooking pulses (see below) and it takes just minutes to cook shrimp, this could easily be a weeknight meal.
Sponsor Shoutout: Pulses
Until recently, I did not realize that the word “pulses” was a common international term for the family of legumes that includes dry peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. It’s funny to learn something new about a food group we’ve loved and enjoyed for many years. Pulses are great for so many reasons. First of all, they are a real food! And they’re also easily accessible, affordable, and sustainable. As a Pulses Ambassador (in honor of the UN naming 2016 the International Year of Pulses to increase awareness around the benefits of pulses), I’m proud to include this recipe in a great little series with so many other yummy dishes. Take the Pulse Pledge to formally commit to adding pulses into your weekly meals!
Shrimp and Lentil Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup green lentils, dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or coconut oil
- 4 green onions, chopped (white and green parts)
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons ginger, fresh, peeled and minced
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, red
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh
- cups Bibb lettuce, for serving
Instructions
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Combine the lentils with 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan over high heat. Once it boils, turn down to a simmer and cook uncovered until the water is almost all the way evaporated and the lentils are tender, about 20 - 30 minutes.
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Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Sauté the green onions until they soften, about 2 - 3 minutes.
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Add the shrimp, lentils, ginger, and red pepper to the pan. Cook while stirring until the shrimp is pink and cooked all the way through, about 4 - 5 minutes.
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Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil and let cook down for a minute or two. Sprinkle on the cilantro, spoon into lettuce cups, and serve.
Recipe Notes
1. Gluten-free when using gluten-free soy sauce.
2. We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
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Blue Taj
April 30, 2016 at 12:46 amIndian Restaurant in Charlotte to Spend with Your Family http://www.thebluetaj.com/
Yvonne
May 4, 2016 at 10:45 amDefinitely going to try this one very soon! I love lettuce wraps just never thought to use lentils & shrimp. Thank you for this recipe.
Rocky's Mom
May 4, 2016 at 12:53 pmWould you want to serve this with something else? I portion seems small for my husband for dinner.
Am I the only one who thinks so?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator)
May 9, 2016 at 9:54 amHi there. You can always scale up for larger portion sizes and add whatever sides you wish. :)
Rachel
May 4, 2016 at 2:54 pmLisa, this one looks great! I think everyone in my family will enjoy it. Thanks so much for sharing.
Emily
May 4, 2016 at 4:14 pmThis looks good, but I can’t eat shrimp, so I think I’ll sub some pre-cooked chicken. :)
Joan
May 4, 2016 at 9:00 pmI love this recipe which I plan to serve with sushi white rice.
Lisa, I used your challenge again in my First Year Seminar classroom and as usual, the students who took the challenge said they had no idea that processed food had so many chemicals. They also found it hard to do the challenge, but once they learned how, they became converts. Yaaay Lisa!!
By the way, Daniel ate pulse in the old testament and swore he could be just as healthy on his pulse and water diet as the king’s royal cabinet on their rich diet of idol worship meat, but that he was not offending God as they were. So pulse is as old as the Old Testament. Thought you might like to know this. lol
Niki
May 6, 2016 at 7:26 pmI added a whole grated carrot to the onion and of course garlic. We garnished with chopped peanuts and sriracha! :) fantastic recipe – fun info on pulses.
(And we bought too small a head of Bibb — needed bigger for sure. Thinly sliced radishes will provide a zippy little crunch next time too.)
Boned Broth
May 10, 2016 at 10:04 pmLooks so delicious! My kids will surely love this! I’ll give this a shot! :) Thanks for sharing!
Courtney
June 17, 2016 at 9:18 pmThese were awesome! I drizzled a little of the sauce form your Asian salmon fish cakes on top. It was a success with everyone, even our 3 year old :)