Yummy Lettuce Wraps

Good evening, everybody!  In my mission to use all my CSA produce, I’m finding myself trying a lot of new recipes.  I got inspired to try lettuce wraps as a way to use the beautiful Bibb Lettuce I’ve gotten for the past two weeks (without making more salads).

I also used the green onions and garlic from my CSA box this week, and organic, grass-fed ground beef from the Farmer’s Market at Howe Meadow.  I made a cucumber salad as a side, and talked Laura into being my new recipe guinea pig!

Turns out, this is a great way to use a lot of veggies.  This recipe was for sure a keeper!  The ground beef filling had some nice heat and good flavor, and the cucumber salad was a nice balance to the heat of the wraps.  Definitely a recipe I’ll try again!

By the time we finished all the lettuce cups and most of the filling, we both had full and  happy bellies, and we were ready to go cool off in the pool for a bit.  I may use the leftover filling in some kind of a hash, or stir it into some scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast (great ideas, Laura!)  And Laura, thanks for alway trying my experimental recipes!

Here’s the recipe for the Asian Lettuce Wraps (I made some changes from the original recipe I found):

•  16 Boston Bibb leaves
• 1 pound lean ground beef
•  1 tablespoon olive oil
•  1 large red onion, chopped
•   2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
•   1 tablespoon soy sauce
•   1/4 cup hoisin sauce
•  2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
•   1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
•    2 tablespoons Asian chile pepper sauce
•  4 green onions, chopped
•    2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
• 2 carrots, shredded (for topping)

 

1. Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside.
2. In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often and reducing the heat to medium, if necessary. Drain, and set aside to cool. Cook the onion, garlic and ginger in the same pan, stirring frequently until the onions are soft.   Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, and chile pepper sauce to the onions, and stir. Stir in  green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; continue cooking until all the ingredients are warmed through.
3.  Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center.  Top with shredded carrots (or put carrots on the side and let each person add as needed.)   To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito, and enjoy!

Advertisement