Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Many people are familiar with lettuce wraps from eating them at P.F. Changs, which is where I had my first lettuce wrap. If you like P.F. Changs lettuce wraps, you really have to try making your own. I must give credit to my wonderful hubby for suggesting we try making Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps after we received a big bunch of lettuce in our CSA bag last month. He is a smart guy, that husband of mine, because this was one of the best dishes we have made together. They are juicy, flavorful, fresh, crispy and actually a very light meal. What's great about these, is you can use them as an appetizer and make them individualized. I added honey roasted peanuts to mine for extra crunch and sweet peanut flavor. Hubby, who is a cilantro freak topped his wrap with an excessive amount. No matter how you customize these, they are sure to be delicious!

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Modified from All Recipes.com

Ingredients

16 lettuce leaves (recommended are Boston Bibb or butter lettuce, but we used romaine)

1 pound ground turkey (lean ground beef can also be substituted)

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/4 cup Hoisin sauce

2 teaspoons pickled ginger (I used regular ginger)

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts drained and finely chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

6 or 7 fresh mushrooms of your choice, chopped

2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil

Cilantro for garnish

Directions

Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not to tear them. Set aside. In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the meat in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often, and reducing the heat to medium if necessary. Drain and set aside to cool.  In the same pan cook the onions, stirring frequently.  Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger and vinegar to the onions and stir. Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions, mushrooms and sesame oil and continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. (This is where I added in about 1/2 cup of chopped honey roasted peanuts!)

Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter and pile meat mixture in the center. 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!