SHRIMP POPS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Take a trip to the Pacific Rim with these seafood bites. If you like, serve bottled Asian chili-garlic sauce as a second dip.

—PETER HALFERTY CORPUS CHRISTI, TX



PREP: 25 MIN. GRILL: 10 MIN. MAKES: 1 DOZEN (1 1/2 CUPS SAUCE)


1 cup coconut milk

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

1 teaspoon Sriracha Asian hot chili sauce or 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot

POPS

1 pound ground pork

3/4 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs

2 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon pepper

12 sugar cane or soaked wooden skewers

1. In a small saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

2. Place the pork, shrimp, basil, bread crumbs, garlic, soy sauce and pepper in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. Shape into 12 oval patties; insert a soaked wooden skewer into each patty.

3. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat or broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Serve with sauce.