Asian Lettuce Wraps

I was going through some pictures I had taken over the summer and realized I had taken a picture of these yummy lettuce wraps but had never gotten around to blogging it!  These were seriously sooo tasty! They're a little sweet and a little spicy and taste perfectly light and filling on a hot summer's day! 

Asian Lettuce Wraps 

{or aka Asian Tacos}

3 Tbsp unsalted, dry roasted peanuts, chopped

3 Tbsp hoisin sauce

2 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar*

2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos*

1/2 inch ginger, freshly minced

1 tsp dark sesame oil

1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1 large clove garlic, minced

2 cups shredded cabbage

1 large carrot, grated

1 cup canned, sliced water chestnuts, diced

1 cup finely diced cooked chicken breast {optional if you want to go meatless}

12 Bibb or Butter Leaf lettuce leaves**

Place the peanuts in a small nonstick skillet over medium high heat and cook for about 3 minutes or until they are lightly browned by shaking the pan frequently.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Combine hoisin through garlic in a small bowl and mix well with a whisk.

In a medium sized bowl combine the peanuts with the cabbage, carrot, water chestnuts and chicken.  Add sauce and mix well.

Spoon the chicken mix in the center of a lettuce leaf.  Roll like a taco and enjoy!

* raw apple cider vinegar and liquid aminos can be found at the health food store

Mmm!  Mmm!  Good!  I like the filling on this one chilled or warmed up ~ it's good both ways!  

Here is another version we tried this summer.  Unfortunately I never took a picture of this one.  :(  But it looks a lot like the other one so use your imagination!  ;)

Beefy Asian Lettuce Wraps

1 lb lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp soy sauce or liquid aminos*

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

2 tsp minced pickled ginger**

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

8-oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 tsp dark sesame oil

16 Boston, Bibb or Butter lettuce leaves

In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef.  Drain and set aside to cool.  Cook your onion in the same pan, stirring frequently until sofened.  Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin, ginger and vinegar to the onions and stir.  Stir in the water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil and the cooked beef.

Spoon a portion of mixture into center of a lettuce leaf.  Roll like a taco and enjoy!

* liquid aminos can be found at the health food store
** pickled ginger can be found at Asian food stores

If you times these recipes about three times each they will each fill up a large crockpot to take to a potluck or large gathering!  Be sure to use the Boston/Bibb lettuce because they are nice and mild and don't fall apart when you roll them!

These ended up being a 

favorite recipe at our house this summer!

What is your favorite summer time meal?