Royalty Fast Food

These lettuce wraps are wonderful, overflowing with Asian flavors, and a fantastic option for a family-style supper or entertainment. Allow a dollop of the beef mixture to be spooned into each lettuce leaf before serving. Enjoy your meat wrapped in lettuce like a burrito!

Ingredients

• 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons minced pickled ginger
• 1 dash Asian chile pepper sauce, or to taste (Optional)
• 1 (8 ounces) can of water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil

Directions

1. Step

Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not to tear them; set aside.

2. Step

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease; transfer beef to a bowl. Add onion to the same skillet; cook and stir until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Step

Stir in hoisin sauce, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and chile pepper sauce until well combined. Add water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; cook and stir until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.

4. Step

Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter; spoon beef mixture in the center.

Tips

Since the mixture occasionally drips a little, serve on tiny plates or have napkins on hand.