Asian Mushroom Lettuce Wraps

Preparation Time: 20 mins. Cooking Time: 10 mins.

This is a low fat, super fresh – tasting version of the Chinese classic. Since they can be eaten in hands it is kid friendly and makes a good summertime lunch, appetizer or supper. The mixture can be made ahead and reheated to serve so why not double the recipe.

Ingredients
8 oz fresh Mushrooms 250 g
1 tbsp vegetable oil  15 mL
8 oz ground lean chicken  250 g
2 1/2 tbsp grated fresh gingerroot 32 mL
3 cloves garlic, crushed 3
3 tbsp Each soy sauce, hoisin sauce and rice vinegar 45 mL
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 7 mL
1/4 - 1/2 tsp Asian Chile or hot sauce (optional) 1-2 mL
1/2 cup chopped green onions 125 mL
6 hearts of Romaine lettuce leaves 6

Garnishes: grated carrot, diced cucumber, chopped peanuts, chopped mint or coriander leaves or peanut sauce.

Method
Finely chop mushrooms in food processor or by hand to yield 3 cups (750 mL). Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken breaking up with spoon. Stir in mushrooms, ginger and garlic; cook and stir for 4-5 minutes or until mushroom liquid has evaporated. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat and simmer about 4-5 minutes to blend flavours. Taste and add chile or hot sauce if desired. Stir in green onion just before serving.

Present lettuce leaves and a bowl of filling on a platter or tray. Have guests help themselves by spooning filling into lettuce leaves, and garnish as desired; then wrap lettuce around the filling to enclose and eat in hands OR serve filled lettuce leaves open face on a plate and serve with cooked rice or rice salad and steamed snow peas.

Makes 6 lettuce wraps (3 servings)

Note: Reheat in microwave or in skillet, adding a little water if necessary.

Variation: Substitute ground pork for chicken and add finely chopped water chestnuts with soy sauce.

This recipe is courtesy of Mushrooms Canada.