Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       lb           Raw medium shrimp
                        Salt
     1/2                Sweet red pepper
   8                    Chives
   2       tb           Unsalted roasted peanuts
                        ---------------------------SAUCE---------- -- 
   2       tb           Fish sauce
   2       tb           Lime juice
   2       tb           Water
   2       ts           Sugar
   1       t            Chinese chili sauce
   2                    Garlic cloves
                        - finely minced
   2       tb           Chopped fresh basil

Preparation:

ADVANCE PREPARATION: Shell the shrimp, then devein by cutting along the top of the curve, starting at the tail and making a progressively deeper cut so the knife nearly cuts through the shrimp at the thick end. Rinse out the vein. Bring a large amount of lightly salted water to a rapid boil and add the shrimp. Cook until shrimp are done, between 1 and 2 minutes. To test, cut a shrimp in half; it should be white in the center. Transfer the shrimp immediately to a bowl of ice water to cool. When chilled, drain and refrigerate until ready to use. Mince and place in separate containers the red pepperand chives. Finely chop the peanuts in a food processor and set aside. Combine the sauce ingredients and mix well. LAST-MINUTE PREPARATION: Toss the shrimp with the sauce. Put in a decorative bowl and place the bowl in crushed ice. Sprinkle the shrimp with the red pepper, chives and peanuts. Serve at once. Serves: 4 to 8 as an appetizer or 4 as a first course.