Recipe: Asian Lettuce Wraps

This recipe derives from the popular appetizer-version served at P.F. Chang's restaurants around the country. I've modified it for simplicity and kid-friendliness by adding more veggies and leaving the spicy elements out. With rice on the side, it makes a light but satisfying main dish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 3-4

For the wraps:

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 cup sliced water chestnuts
• 2/3 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 3 tablespoons chopped onions
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
• 6-8 leaves iceberg lettuce or napa cabbage
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

For the special sauce:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

1. Make the special sauce by dissolving the sugar in water in a small bowl.
2. Add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, lemon juice and sesame oil. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. (DO AHEAD: prepare up to 48 hours in advance)
3. Mince water chestnuts and mushrooms to about the size of small peas.
4. Heat oil to medium-high in a large frying pan.
5. Add ground turkey and saute, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Add carrots, garlic, ginger, onions, water chestnuts and mushrooms to the pan.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mushrooms are done.
8. While turkey mixture is cooking, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar in a small bowl and pour into frying pan. Simmer until most of the stir-fry sauce is absorbed.
9. Serve family style: assembly turkey in lettuce cups and top with special sauce. Add hot chili-garlic paste or Sriracha if desired.
   

Here are a few timesaving tips, as well as suggestions on how your toddler can help.

Timesavers:

• Buy water chestnuts and mushrooms already sliced, and carrots pre-shredded (typically available in organic varieties)
• Use jarred, minced garlic and ginger (found in the produce aisle)
  

Toddler Tasks:

• Pat lettuce leaves dry with a paper towel
• Fill measuring cup with shredded carrot
• Hold measuring spoon for liquid ingredients and add to bowl
• Stir special sauce with a whisk or fork
• Scoop minced garlic/ginger from jar

Finally, we'll cover food safety more in a future post, but a few quick reminders:

• Keep knives and other sharp implements well out of child's reach
• Do not allow child to add ingredients over a hot stove, or to a heated pan
• Avoid handling of raw poultry by child and follow steps to prevent cross-contamination

Have fun, and enjoy!