The Lexingtonienne

April18th

2 Comments

Sometimes when I am cooking, a small jolt of alarm shoots through me and I think, “I shouldn’t be cooking at home alone without an adult present.”

lettuce wraps

Then I remember, I am an adult. And adults can cook.

lettuce wraps

But not only am I an adult…

lettuce wraps

… I am also somebody’s wife.

lettuce wraps

lettuce wraps

And even scarier…

lettuce

I am somebody’s mother.

lettuce wraps

This particular dish is so easy (30 minutes from start to finish), that an adult can throw it together…

lettuce wraps

… and then have plenty of time to hang out with a non-adult.

April 17, 2011

ASIAN-STYLE LETTUCE WRAPS (pdf)
1 T canola oil
1 bunch green onions, chopped (white and green parts)
1 C shredded carrots, chopped
1 (5 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained, rinsed, and lightly chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 package ground chicken, turkey, or pork
1 tsp ginger paste OR about 1/2 inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1-2 tsp chili paste (optional – it’s pretty spicy!)
1/2 C store-bought stir fry sauce
A few dashes of low-sodium soy sauce
1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and cut into quarters

Heat a heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add canola oil, then onions. Cook for about 2 minutes, until beginning to soften. Add carrots, cook for another 2 minutes, then add water chestnuts and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring as you go. Add garlic, then stir in ground meat. When the meat is thoroughly browned, stir in ginger, chili paste, stir fry sauce, and soy sauce. Allow the liquid in the pan to come to a boil, and continue cooking until the liquid thickens a bit (most of it will cook off). Serve alongside lettuce quarters, allowing guests to spoon the meat mixture onto 1-2 pieces of lettuce. (Do I really need to explain it that much? You’ve been to P.F. Chang’s, haven’t you?)

xoxo,
Hannah

2 Comments

  • Comment by Beth — April 19, 2011 @ 5:47 pm

    She is SOOOO cute!!!!

  • Comment by Jeff — April 20, 2011 @ 10:21 am

    You know who else can cook? Yan.

    Making these tout de suite!

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