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Crab, coconut and pomelo betel leaves

One-bite wonders.

Dec 15, 2020 3:30am
By Gourmet Food Team
  • 20 mins preparation
  • 3 mins cooking
  • Serves 6
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Thailand's mieng kham was the inspiration for these zingy one-bite wonders. Crab and pomelo are an excellent match for the party season; If pomelo is out of season, substitute pineapple.

Ingredients

  • Peanut oil, for frying
  • 6 red shallots, thinly sliced
  • 500 gm picked crab meat
  • 1 small pomelo, segmented, coarsely torn
  • ½ cup shredded coconut, toasted
  • ¼ cup each mint and Thai basil, finely chopped
  • 4 makrut lime leaves, finely shredded
  • 30 betel leaves (see note)
  • Finger lime pearls, to serve
Chilli dressing
  • 1 small red chilli, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp chopped ginger
  • 40 gm light palm sugar, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp each lime juice and fish sauce, or to taste

Method

  • 1
    Preheat peanut oil in a wok to 180°C. Add shallot, in batches, and stir until golden (2-3 minutes); drain.
  • 2
    For chilli dressing, pound chilli and ginger using a mortar and pestle to a fine paste. Add palm sugar, pound to break up, then add lime juice and fish sauce and stir until palm sugar dissolves.
  • 3
    Combine remaining ingredients (except betel leaves) in a bowl, add dressing and toss to combine. Place tablespoons of mixture on betel leaves, top with fried shallots and finger lime pearls to serve.

Notes

Betel leaves are available from Asian grocers.

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