Shrimp and Scallop Cabbage Wraps with Thai Sauce

This simple, light dinner is all about freshness and big flavor. With Thai spice, savory vegetables, and aromatic ginger and garlic, the tastiness is all over this dish. Fresh seafood and silky rice noodles round out the “stuffing” for crisp cabbage leaves—and it all comes together in less than 20 minutes.

Serves 2

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 3 Thai chiles, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp sambal oelek (fresh ground chile paste)
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tsp sugar

For the Cabbage Wraps

• 2 oz Thai noodle sticks, broken into thirds
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/2 small green bell pepper, julienned
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 lb peeled, deveined shrimp (26-30 count), cut crosswise in half
• 1/3 lb sea scallops (about 1-1/2-inch diameter), quartered
• 1/4 tsp dried red chile flakes
• 4 medium napa cabbage leaves
• lime wedges, for garnish

Prepared Peppers, Scallions, Ginger, and Garlic

Shrimp and Scallops

Prepared Scallops and Shrimp 

Napa Cabbage Leaves

Preparation

For the Sauce

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring well to dissolve the sugar. Transfer to a serving bowl (if serving at the table) and set aside.

Thai Sauce

For the Cabbage Wraps

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the noodles, stirring to separate. Cover and let stand 10 minutes to soften. Drain and rinse in a sieve under cold water. Set aside and re-rinse just before continuing.
2. Heat a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the peanut oil. Add the scallion and bell peppers and season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir-fry 2 minutes.

Peppers and Scallions Beginning to Stir-Fry

1. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add the shrimp, scallops, and chile flakes and stir-fry until seared and just cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the noodles to the wok and stir to combine with the other ingredients.

Ginger, Garlic, and Seafood Added 

Noodles Added

1. Lay the cabbage leaves on a work surface. Divide the wok mixture among the leaves. 

Stuffed Cabbage Leaves

To serve, place 2 stuffed cabbage leaves on each of 2 plates and garnish with lime wedges. Drizzle all with sauce or serve the sauce at the table.