Lettuce Wraps

Bibb or Butter Lettuce Wraps are a healthy alternative to flour tortilla shells or corn taco shells. They are easy to roll with filling tucked inside making a great wrap.  

I have previously posted a recipe for copycat PF Changs  Chicken Lettuce Wraps

http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/08/copycat-recipe-pf-changs-chicken.html

Here are 3 more recipes great for entertaining and family style meals. Each person can build their own.  

Taco Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• Bibb or Butter Lettuce Leaves
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced.
• 1 package of taco seasoning mix
• tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa

Directions:

• Brown meat with diced onions. Crumble and drain.
• Add seasoning mix to water according to package directions.
• Add to cooked ground beef in pan and cook uncovered 10 minutes. 
• Fill lettuce leaves with meat filling, top with tomatoes, shredded cheese and salsa. 

 

Chicken Chipolte Lettuce Wraps 

• 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 pound chicken breast
• 2 – 3 chipotle peppers (depending on your love of heat)
• 3 Tbs. adobo sauce (that comes from the jar)
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 head butter lettuce, rinsed and leaves separated
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

• Turn on the broiler. Arrange the corn on a rimmed baking sheet with a Tbs. of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Broil the corn for about 5 minutes, or until they start to slightly char and turn crispy. You can toss them a couple of times throughout. Set aside.
• Heat the remaining 2 Tbs. oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear for 6 minutes on each side until cooked through and browned all over. Move to a cutting board and let sit for 5 minutes. Then dice the chicken.
• In a food processor, combine the cilantro, lime juice, chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce. Process until smooth.
• Add the chicken back to the pan, along with the chipotle sauce, freshly diced red bell pepper and roasted corn. Toss until combined.
• Serve a couple of tablespoons of the chicken mixture in each lettuce cup and garnish with scallions.

Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps

Cook's note: These wraps are flavorful and low in carbs. Recipe from Taste of Home and serves 8.
Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium carrots, julienned
• 1/2 medium onion, cut into thin slices

FILLING:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce, optional

ASSEMBLY:

• 8 Bibb lettuce leaves
• 1/2 English cucumber, finely chopped
• 1 small sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup each coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro and mint
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped
• Hoisin sauce
• Lime wedges

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar and salt until blended. Stir in carrots and onion; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. 
• In a large skillet, cook pork, ginger and garlic over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until pork is no longer pink, breaking up pork into crumbles; drain. Stir in soy sauce, mirin, salt, pepper and, if desired, fish sauce.
• To serve, drain carrot mixture. Place pork mixture in lettuce leaves; top with cucumber, red pepper, green onions, carrot mixture and herbs. Sprinkle with jalapeno and peanuts; drizzle with hoisin sauce. Squeeze lime juice over tops. Fold lettuce over filling.

Bon Appetit!