December 24, 2009

thai pork lettuce wraps

You could wrap anything in lettuce and I’m pretty sure I would love it. My Mother makes the best lettuce wraps – it was a favorite meal of mine growing up – so fun to eat and delicious at the same time. (Also a great way to get your kids to eat some veggies!)

This makes for a great week-night dinner as it comes together fast but is so flavorful and fresh-tasting. It would also be a perfect light dinner for post-Holiday food comas. ;)

thai pork lettuce wraps adapted from Food & Wine’s Thai Ground Pork Salad

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 small shallots, minced
  • 1 large jalapeño, minced
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 2 Tbsp Asian fish sauce
  • 2 tsp agave
  • 2 tsp sriracha
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mint, chopped
  • 1 head Bibb lettuce
  • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced

1. Mix the pork, garlic, shallots and jalapeño together. In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and sriracha.

2. In a skillet, heat the oil. Add the pork mixture and cook over high heat, stirring to break up the meat, until no pink remains, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in herbs and season with salt and pepper. Serve with lettuce, peppers and cucumber slices for wrapping. (and some sriracha on the side if desired)