Bangkok / Thai traditional starter question...

[Agiacobbe]

My husband and I recently returned from Thailand. In Bangkok, a few of the restaurants we ate at came out with a sort of DIY amuse bouche/ unordered meal starter that was comprised of basil leaves, peanuts, a sort of garlic/ peanut paste, chilies, scallions, and maybe a fish sauce. You put it together yourself by rolling the ingredients in the leaves. I wrote down what it was called; then the notebook (and some other things) were swiped from my luggage... anyway, anyone know what this is called? We'd love to recreate it at home.

[alexisj]

It's called Meang Kum and usually consists of lime pieces, peanuts, coconut shavings, sweet syrup, ginger, and chili wrapped up in a beetle nut leaf. Bon Apetit!

[intrepidgourmand]

Betel nut, you mean. That is interesting. I have not seen it before. In India, this leaf is used as a digestive and astringent where it is eaten coated with lime and a bunch of sweet things including coconut shavings.