Lettuce Wraps

My friend Linnea sent me home with a bag of lettuce from her garden this weekend so it seemed like making lettuce wraps was the right thing to do. 

I was initially turned off by this recipe because it contains mushrooms and water chestnuts: two things that I don't typically enjoy.  I decided to use the food processor to mince both in hopes that the textures wouldn't get to me.  I'm glad I stuck to the recipe because these were SUPER tasty.  Light, healthy, flavorful.  Mmm!

Also, there's a quick and easy recipe for dipping sauce that you'll definitely want to make.

 LETTUCE WRAPS

• 2 teaspoons oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 3 ounces mushrooms, finely minced in the food processor (about 8 small mushrooms)
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 4 cups cabbage, thinly shredded
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained, rinsed, and finely minced in the food processor
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3-4 tablespoons juice)
• 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce
• 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1-2 heads lettuce, leaves removed and washed (I like butter lettuce.)

DIPPING SAUCE

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1-2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger

Heat a very large skillet to medium-high heat on the stove top.


When hot, add oil, garlic, and ginger. Saute for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.


Add ground chicken, mushrooms, and Kosher salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until chicken is cooked through.  If there's a lot of extra liquid in the pan from the chicken, tilt the pan and use a spoon to remove it. 


Add cabbage, carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions. Cook for about 2 minutes, until cabbage starts to wilt.


Add soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon zest and juice, and hot sauce.


Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.


To prepare dipping sauce, combine all ingredients and whisk to combine.


Place chicken mixture in the leaves and serve with sauce.


Makes 14-16 lettuce wraps.


Source: slightly modified from Our Best Bites