Food & Cooking Recipes Appetizers Finger Food Recipes Lemongrass-Skewered Shrimp in Lettuce Cups By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 12, 2017 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Bryan Gardner Prep Time: 50 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins Servings: 4 In place of lemongrass skewers, you can use flat, wide bamboo skewers or traditional pieces of sugarcane. Also, it's wise to wear rubber gloves when chopping the hot chiles in this recipe. Ingredients 1 ½ pounds shrimp, preferably wild, peeled and deveined Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper ½ shallot, coarsely chopped (2 tablespoons) 2 cloves garlic, halved, plus ½ teaspoon minced garlic 4 tablespoons Vietnamese or Thai fish sauce 1 large egg 2 teaspoons cornstarch 4 teaspoons grated palm sugar or light-brown sugar 2 teaspoons safflower oil, plus more for brushing 6 lemongrass stalks, trimmed 6 inches above root end and halved lengthwise 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving 2 Thai or serrano chiles, thinly sliced 12 large green- or red-leaf lettuce leaves Mint and cilantro sprigs and roasted peanuts, for serving Directions Toss shrimp with 2 tablespoons salt; let stand 5 minutes. Rinse under cold water; pat dry. Pulse shallot and halved garlic in a food processor until minced. Add shrimp, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, egg, cornstarch, 2 teaspoons sugar, oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; pulse until a paste forms. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate 30 minutes. With wet hands, spoon a scant 1/4 cup shrimp paste into the palm of one hand and flatten into a 3-inch round. Center a piece of lemongrass over mixture and gently close palm, using your fingers to shape paste into an oval around lemongrass. Transfer to a steamer basket (preferably bamboo) lined with lightly oiled parchment. Repeat with remaining shrimp paste and stalks. Place basket snugly over a pot of simmering water; steam until shrimp paste is opaque and firm, 3 to 4 minutes. Skewers can be steamed up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated (remove 30 minutes before grilling). Stir together remaining 3 tablespoons fish sauce and 2 teaspoons sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and 1/4 cup water until sugar is dissolved. Divide among dipping bowls; top each with some of sliced chiles. Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking (medium-high on a gas grill). Lightly brush shrimp skewers with oil and grill, turning a few times, until charred in places and heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve skewers with lettuce, mint, cilantro, peanuts, remaining sliced chiles, dipping sauce, and lime wedges alongside. Print