When I was in high school, I worked for an [americanized] Asian restaurant… and I hated everything about it. I hated everything excccccccept for the free meal I received every shift. I would complain and complain, but seriously, that free meal got me through. I hated it slightly less when I became friends with the line cooks and every so often they would “mess-up” an order of Chicken Lettuce Wraps just for me. And I hate it even less now when I look back and realize what a punk I was in high school! So, in honor of my glory days, here’s an ode to your famous Chicken Lettuce Wraps…americanized asian restaurant that shall remain nameless…

Recipe:

The Wraps:

• 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
• 1lb ground chicken (Or turkey, I used turkey)
• 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 3 tsp Sriracha sauce
• 1 can water chestnuts; drained and chopped finely
• 1 sm bunch of green onions, sliced
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• Butter lettuce
• roasted peanuts, chopped

The Sauce:

• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2-3 tsp red pepper flakes
• 6 Tbsp soy sauce
• 6 Tbsp honey

Extra: (optional)

• shredded carrots
• bean sprouts

Level: EASY

Directions:

The Wraps:

In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. Add the ground chicken (or turkey) and cook until it is cooked through. With a spatula, break the chicken (or turkey) up into small chunk as it cooks, and then remove from the head. Next, stir in the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, rice wine vinegar, and Sriracha sauce, until your meat is completely coated. Next, fold in the water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and peanuts. Salt to taste.

The Sauce:

Heat the red pepper flakes in the sesame oil in a small skillet until the flakes begin to brown. Remove the skillet from the heat and strain the oil into a mixing bowl removing as many of the flakes from the oil as possible. Next, mix in soy sauce and honey, and stir until blended.

To assemble:

Scoop the Chicken lettuce wrap mixture on top of washed butter lettuce leafs. Top with shredded carrots and bean sprouts. Finish by sprinkling a spoonful of sauce on top.

享受 Thats Chinese for "enjoy"...I think...