Lettuce Wraps - recipe

Summer is almost here and that means it's time for some easy light recipes! I love wraps, and we're always playing with different combinations of fillings, this one uses pork but we like using ground turkey as well. If you like your lettuce wraps with a spicy kick, add a dash of red pepper flakes. Need more vegetables? Try adding a handful of bean sprouts, shredded carrots, or even cook diced up eggplant along with the mushrooms and onions.  Dinner rolled into a pretty green leaf - yes please!

Ingredients

the Wraps:

leaves of lettuce,  Boston or I like the outer leaves of Iceburg lettuce

1 lbs pork, diced into small pieces  (I buy the pork for fajitas, it's already cut into thin strips) 

1/2 of a yellow onion, diced

1 package mushrooms, washed and diced into small pieces

1 8oz. can of water chestnuts, diced into small pieces

1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced 

1 bunch Saifun bean threads 

handful of chopped cilantro 

olive oil

the Sauce:

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tbls. lite soy sauce

1 tsp. ginger, minced

1 Tbls rice wine vinegar

1 tsp. sesame oil

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

1. Start by boiling water in a medium sized pot. Once water is boiling add the Saifun, cover and turn heat off.  Leave the noodles in the hot water until they soften and are clear, about 15-20 minutes. I use Dynasty Saifun noodles, they are found in most grocery stores in the Asian food isle. Once the noodles are ready, drain the water and I cut mine into small pieces, about 1/2 inch long. 

2. add a little olive oil to a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and onion. Stir until both are softened. Remove from pan and put into a bowl.

3. using the same frying pan, add a little olive oil and brown the pork, stirring often to break up the pieces until meat is cooked all the way through

4. While the meat is cooking, make the sauce by combining all ingredients. 

5. Let meat cool a bit, then toss with the chestnuts, cooked onions and mushrooms, Saifun noodles, green onions and cilantro. Add the sauce and toss to combine. Wash the lettuce leaves and fill with meat/mushroom mixture, sprinkle on sesame seeds and serve.

enjoy! 

xo ~ Tara