Asian Lettuce Wraps
When my husband and I were on our honeymoon, we spent a couple of days in Calgary. After visiting Joey Tomato’s and ordering their lettuce wraps a couple of times, I completely fell in love. My quest has been to re-create the ones we had there. These are really messy, which I don’ t mind, but hubby ends up using tortillas to wrap them instead. That’s kinda more Mexican-y, but it makes him happy and not complaining, so I let it go. The sacrifices you make…
This recipe is pretty versatile, so don’t sweat it if you don’t have the exact ingredients – try a combination of peppers, don’t worry about using shiitake mushrooms if they’re not available (even regular old button mushrooms are delicious), the chili paste can be substituted for Sriracha or any other hot sauce, etc.
We like to keep the noodles and peanuts separate from the stir fry so that they don’t get soggy if you have leftovers, but hey, whatever floats your boat. ;)
P.S. You all know I dislike cilantro, so of course my recipe doesn’t call for it, but all you weirdo cilantro lovers might like to add a couple tablespoons of the stuff chopped fresh.
P.P.S. Yes, you are weird.
- ¼ cup peanuts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ onion, chopped
- ½ red pepper, chopped
- 250 g water chestnuts, sliced matchstick-style
- 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced matchstick-style
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- 5 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp chili paste (such as Sambal Oelek)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- lettuce for wrapping
- steam fried crispy Asian noodles
- Heat a large skillet to med-high heat. Add peanuts and stir occasionally until roasty. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in same skillet over med heat. Add garlic and sauté until softened. Add chicken, stir fry until no longer pink.
- Add onion, pepper, chestnuts and mushrooms. Sauté for 1 min.
- Meanwhile, dissolve the brown sugar in the soy sauce. Add to the vegetables in the pan. Continue to stir fry for about 2 mins.
- Add the hoisin sauce and chili paste.
- Stir in green onions and remove from heat.
- To assemble: Place noodles on the lettuce, then the stir fried meat and veggies, and top with peanuts.
Who doesn’t love lettuce wraps. I really enjoyed reading this post and I will definitely have to make this recipe.
Thanks Babygirl! I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks have a reciepe my son in law made for us it was great. Very similar except chili sauce and a few differences, can,t wait to try this one.
Thanks again. I am a fan of Joeys Only (now)lettece wraps.
Made these wraps for supper tonight…even the kids loved them! Thanks for posting…I’ll definitely be making them again!
Thanks Sara! So happy you liked them!
I’m looking forward to making these tonight. I’m surprised that there is no gingerroot or sesame oil in the recipe…
Stacey, I never thought to add those, but I bet they would be delicious! If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Thanks for the great recipe. I like you had them at Joeys and loved them. I googled them today and searched umpteen recipes and then I found yours.
I said to myself that’s it, that’s the recipe.
We thoroughly enjoyed them for dinner this evening. Although my husband did say they were too healthy!
Thanks again
Hi Colleen! So happy to hear that you liked them. My hubby always complains that they’re too messy, but they’re my fav!