Thai Shrimp Burgers

Hello to all the fresh faces here! I'm genuinely grateful for all the recent subscribers. Every month, I'm committed to offering you a thoughtful, in-depth article. But between those deeper dives, I'll sprinkle in some of my favourite recipes and restaurant critiques. Remember, my pathway to marketing began on social media with a recipe page that blossomed to a cool 50k followers.

But incase you missed my inaugural article on AG1, you can read it here. And if you just want a quick summary…

🎯 Branding Brilliance: AG1 isn't just a greens powder; they’re THE greens powder. AG1 mastered the art of brand building and storytelling, making them stand out in a crowded wellness space.

🍵 Habit Creation: But it symbolises more than a green drink; AG1 has seamlessly turned daily nutrition into a lifestyle habit as common as a morning cup of coffee.

🌟 Influencer Power Play: Dive deep into their marketing, and you'll spot the genius behind their influencer strategy. Truly top-notch!

🔍 The 75 in 1 Debate: One scoop promises 75 vitamins & minerals for about £100/month. But...where's the Vitamin D and Omega-3s? It's worth a ponder.

🧠 Mind Over Matter: Whether it's AG1’s actual benefits or the famed placebo effect at play, if you feel good sipping it (and spending ££), that's gold.

I truly appreciate the feedback I've received.

Sure, some felt I went easy on AG1’s formula and pricing. And while you won't see me whipping out my card to make a purchase anytime soon, I’m not wholly against AG1 – especially if it's within your financial means. Making financial cutbacks just to afford AG1? That's where I'd raise an eyebrow (or 2). But the placebo effect, as I've mentioned, is powerful. I have friends who stand by AG1. If it primes them to kick-start their day on a high, lean into healthier choices, and embrace positivity? Well, that’s their call…and their money….

That said, painting AG1 as a cure-all powder? Not a fan. But in the grand scheme of nutrition, my dietitian hat tilts towards a more laissez-faire approach as I don’t think AG1 will cause anyone harm. I’ve laid out my stance, presented the pros and cons, and made my personal decision clear. But hey, I'm not here to be the food police or judge anyone's choices. Enjoy what you love and let live!

Plus, from a marketer's lens, I've got to give credit where it's due. What they've achieved is nothing short of impressive, and I genuinely believe that any D2C brand could stand to learn a thing or two from AG1's playbook. Hats off to them for setting such a benchmark in the industry.

Interestingly, the Rheal greens powder is one of the best selling products on WellEasy! We sell it for £20.99, although it retails for £25.09. So, if it’s that feel good vibe or placebo effect you’re after, consider making the switch and pocket the £79.00 for the month.

What’s next on the discussion docket?

I've received a slew of suggestions to unpack other health-food forerunners like Huel, Symprove, and Heights. Yet, a part of me is keen to unravel the intricacies of influencer marketing in the wellness industry. Here's a surprising fact: there was a phase when my earnings as an influencer (dietitian/recipe creator) surpassed what I was bringing in as a marketing manager for a series A startup. Wondering why I steered away from that route and what my current stance on influencer marketing is?

Now, about that shrimp burger…

Ever had that moment at a restaurant where you're so smitten by a dish, you're mentally deconstructing it bite by bite, plotting to recreate it at home? Guilty as charged. I can't quite pinpoint where I first encountered that shrimp burger, but it left a mark. And, naturally, I thought, “I could elevate this!” Perhaps it's a gene I inherited from my mother – a maestro in the kitchen (she’s actually a classically trained chef). More than once, I've caught her, mid-meal, stealthily tasting a sauce, murmuring revelations like "Ah, mirin!" or "Definitely Worcestershire...".

Anyways, this recipe is fragrant, a tad bit spicy, and oh-so delicious. And if you have a food processor, or maybe even a blender, it’s super easy to put together.

Let’s get into it…

Serves: 4 burgers

Time: 25-30 minutes

My Fiancé’s rating: 9.1/10 (apparently there’s no such thing as a perfect 10)

Ingredients

• 400g raw prawns (shrimp)

• 2 large cloves of garlic

• 1.5 cm fresh ginger

• 2 Birdseye chilis (more or less to taste)

• 2 spring onions (scallions), sliced

• 1/2 stalk fresh lemongrass

• 1 cup (handful) fresh coriander (cilantro)

• 1/2 cup (small handful) fresh thai basil

• 1 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos

• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 large egg

• 1 cup panko breakdcrumbs

Method

1. Toss all the ingredients, bar the egg and panko, into the food processor. Give it a good whirl till everything melds together.

2. Transfer the mix to a bowl and fold in the egg. If you’re a bit of a shortcut aficionado like yours truly, just pop out the blade and voilà - your food processor's just morphed into a mixing bowl.

3. Next up, sprinkle in the panko. Give it a good mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes. If you can stash it in the fridge, even better.

4. Heat your pan to medium/hot and make sure it’s well-oiled. I have a soft spot for avocado oil for this recipe; it doesn’t send my smoke alarm (and therefore my dog) into a frenzy.

5. Once the pan's singing with heat, shape the mixture into 4 juicy patties and let them sizzle.

6. Give each side a golden sear for 2 minutes, then shift them into a pre-warmed oven for another 10-12. If your pan isn't a fan of the oven, just dial down the heat a tad and pop a lid on.

Notes:

• I've flip-flopped between my trusty Lodge cast iron skillet and the sleek Our Place always pan. While I lean toward the skillet (it’s oven-ready), the latter wins on the ease-of-cleaning front.

• Opted for frozen prawns over fresh? Me too. Most prawns take a chilly journey to our shores anyway. Plus, the frozen ones won't burn a hole in your pocket.

• Adding a minty kick would've been my choice, but my other half seems to have a personal vendetta against mint, so I gave it a pass.

• You can easily swap the prawns for minced turkey, chicken, pork, or beef. Adjust the egg and panko based on the moisture content of your choice.

• Not in the burger mood? No worries. Try shaping these into delightful Thai Shrimp Meatballs.

• Living across the pond has muddled my spelling a bit. Apologies for the transatlantic mash-up.

To plate it up, I went with some crisp tenderstem broccoli, sweet potato fries, and a vibrant slaw: red cabbage, red onion, cucumber, radish, bell pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander (or cilantro for my stateside pals), all drizzled with Nojo white miso sauce.

Enjoy!

Leftovers made a pretty decent packed lunch!

All the tagged ingredients can be purchased from WellEasy - the online members club where I currently head up the marketing team. We're all about making healthy living easy and affordable, and our members enjoy up to 35% off RRP on over 4k+ products. Plus, as a little welcome treat, use code BARI10 at checkout for £10 off your first order over £50. It comes with a 30-day free trial too. Happy cooking!