Easy Asian Lettuce Wraps

On a cool, windy spring day (make that, week) like this,

I always want something light and springy 

(think beach-body ready)

but something equally comforting when the wind is howling like it is...

Something for when you are torn between
curling up on the couch or hitting the 'dread' mill.  

These Asian Lettuce Wraps are the answer!

And, you guessed it...

next time I make them,

I will make more because the leftovers were just as tasty.  

Not only are they delicious,

they were also sooo fast,

so you will have time for the couch and the gym 

because you won't be in the kitchen for hours!  

Started by browning up 2# of ground chicken in a tablespoon of olive oil,
topped with 1 tbsp of minced garlic, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger,
salt and pepper, to taste.

While that was browning,
I chopped up 2-3 Green Onions and tossed them in.

Then added 1 cup of chopped cashews,
for a little browning and flavor actions.

For the sauce,
I didn't even feel the need to mix it up separately.

Just added 1/2 cup of Hoisin Sauce. 

Hoisin is a thick and pungent sauce typical of Chinese cooking.  
It has a strong fermented soy and vinegar aroma. 
So, it goes a long way in a dish! 

1/4 cup of soy sauce and
1 tbsp of Sriracha (my boys all added more!)

Stir it all up and this is what you get...

A pan full of great flavors and textures!

I loved the smell of the ginger,
but the Hoisin is what brought the kids in from the yard.

Each leaf of butter lettuce was filled with a couple spoonfuls of the meat.

Could have easily been paired with some rice for a carb or
shredded carrots for more texture and veg.

We were all hungry and fighting for more! 

RECIPE:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2# of ground chicken (pork, turkey, beef would all work great!)

1 tablespoon of olive oil, 

1 tbsp of minced garlic

1/2 tsp of ground ginger

salt and pepper - to taste

3 green onions - chopped

1 cup of chopped cashews

1/2 cup Hoisin Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tbsp Sriracha - more if desired

Additional Options:

Cooked Rice 

Shredded Carrots

Directions:

• Brown meat in pan with olive oil over medium heat, add garlic, ginger, salt & pepper. 
• Chop onions and cashews while meat is cooking. Add to pan. 
• Add sauces, stir well and serve in butter lettuce leaves.