Miang Kana: Thai Flavor Explosions

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried shrimp
• 1/4 cup toasted, shredded coconut
• 2 ounces unsalted peanuts, roasted, chopped coarsely
• Ginger, peeled, tiny dice
• 1/2 Lime zest, tiny dice
• 1/2 Lime flesh, tiny chunks
• Red onions or shallots, diced
• Chilies, sliced thinly
• Cilantro leaves
• Chinese broccoli leaves, baby collard greens, wild pepper leaves, spinach leaves for wrapping.
• Sauce1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
• 1 ounce palm sugar (brown sugar can be used) dissolved in 3 tablespoons hot water
• 1- 2 tablespoons fish sauce

Directions

1. Dry toast all the dried shrimp by placing them in a cast iron skillet and stirring over medium heat for five minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Place individual piles of each ingredient for the miang kana on a platter or large cutting board.
3. Wash and dry the leaves and add them to the platter or serve them on the side.
4. Prepare the sauce by mixing all the ingredients except the fish sauce and chillies in a small bowl. Add one tablespoon of fish sauce and taste. Add more fish sauce to taste or add water if the sauce is too strong. Add chili slices as desired. Place small spoons for serving in the platter.
5. To eat, fold a leaf into quarters and open one of the pockets and spoon a mix of the ingredients in the leaf. Add sauce and place the whole leaf in your mouth.

Notes

You can add or substitute ingredients. I’ve had it made with pork floss a dried shredded pork that you get in an Asian supermarket. I may develop a vegetarian version.
Fish sauce varies in strength. I use the one with the three crabs on the label for cooking and I use Red Boat brand for sauces and finishing dishes because it has a more refined flavor.