Asian Lettuce Wrap

By Rachel Castro Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family-style meal. Each person can build their own fresh, delicious wrap. Just be sure to have plates or napkins available since the mixture can sometimes drip a little. To serve the Asian Lettuce Wrap, 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! This recipe first appeared on RED Cipes. Ingredients 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves 1 pound lean ground beef 1 tablespoon cooking oil ¼ cup hoisin sauce 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fermented real soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 2 teaspoons minced pickled ginger 1 dash Asian chile pepper sauce, or to taste (Optional)1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped  2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil1 bunch green onions, chopped Directions Step 1Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not to tear them. Set aside.Step 2Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and cooking oil in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease; transfer beef to a bowl. Now cook and stir onion in the same skillet used for the beef until it's slightly tender about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir hoisin sauce, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and chile pepper sauce into onions. Add water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; cook and stir until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.Step 3Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter and pile meat mixture in the center.Serve and enjoy. For those of you who like cheese with everything, you can sprinkle a little on like a garnish or place some in the center before you roll the lettuce around the meat. That's it. Until next time remember to stay healthy and free! Heather EarlesHeather is married to a retired Special Forces Officer, and they live on a sustainable farm with their four children. She is an established author of inspiration, fiction, children’s books, a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. She publishes a weekly blog and podcast (Herb ‘N Wisdom™), is a Print Specialist for Pufferprint and has her own company H&E Literary Works. Learn more about the author