Sunday, November 21, 2010

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Click here for the recipe I use for chicken lettuce wraps. I made them today for lunch, a Sunday favorite around here. I triple the recipe for the four of us although I could probably make more and it would be eaten. It's good the next day too.

My modifications: I put the chicken in the crockpot overnight seasoned with salt & pepper and a little water in the bottom. Less mess, less oil needed and it basically shreds itself. Also makes the final prep much faster. I use 1/2 real sugar or brown sugar and 1/2 Splenda to cut the calories and also because of the history of diabetes on both sides of the family. I don't add mushrooms because Mac hates 'em. I use green onions because I just like them better. My guys prefer Romaine lettuce to ice berg. And that's just about it.

If you'd had the Soothing Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang's, this recipe is turns out pretty much the same. If you're going to make these, you might need to plan ahead if you are like me and don't have lots of Asian ingredients on hand but once purchased, they will go a long way. Also, the chili paste and hot mustard powder are added to the wraps individually for extra heat so if no one in your house likes spicy food, skip them.

At Chang's chicken lettuce wraps are on the appetizer menu but we eat them as our entree. Some side dish ideas are~

Veggie stir fry: great to use the veggies left over from the week that are no longer at the peak of freshness. I pick up some snow peas and bean sprouts and add the mushrooms here as well. After the chicken is done I transfer it to a platter and make my stir fry in the pan used for the chicken for added flavor.
OR
Asian salad with mandarin oranges and sesame seed dressing.
OR
Egg rolls: couldn't get easier than this! I just pick up a half dozen from our local Chinese take-out place. You can also buy them at the market and heat them up or make them from scratch if you're so inclined. I am not.

If I ever had left-overs, which I don't, I have thought that you could put the chicken and stir fry veggies in a pot with broth and make a stir fry soup. Doesn't that sound good? Although I wouldn't put the lettuce in my soup, that's your call.



Give them a try if you are looking for something different and easy! And let me know what you think!

2 comments:

Pat said...

Do you use water chestnuts? I didn't relize I was eating them at pf changs because they are diced so small. I normally don't like them. I need to make these, or just come over and eat yours.
Got extra?

Trish said...

I use Romaine Lettuce instead of buns sometimes for my Turkey Burgers...Mmm.
Will give these a try since i love using the good ol' Crock Pot!