Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps.
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This is one of my all-time favorite meals. Don't let the semi-lengthy ingredient list intimidate you - this is one of those meals where you buy a few unique ingredients once and then you have them stocked for a good long time. And the flavors and textures really make it a perfect meal - it feels so light and fresh and flavorful, yet it is super filling. Don't let the term "lettuce wraps" fool you. Every time I make this, Stevie overeats and then blames me for it for his overly-full feeling. He says it tastes too good. I tell him he needs more self-control. It's our bit, if you know what I mean.
My dear friend Tricia shared this recipe with me years ago, and it's one that has stuck around as a family meal standard. And since she shared earlier this week about how to get your child to eat anything, I thought it was only fitting that we share one of her grown-up delicacies, too. Thanks for inspiring deliciousness, Trish!
Ingredients:
For wraps:
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- Braggs Amino Acids, to taste
- Ginger (grated or ground), to taste
- Honey, to taste
- 1/2 cup natural cashews (you can also use lightly salted)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lime
For Slaw:
- 1 package broccoli slaw (found in salad section of grocery store, near coleslaw)
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 packet Ramen Noodles (you won't use seasoning packet, only the noodles)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp. butter
For Dressing:
- 1/2 cup oil (Tricia recommends mixing olive oil with one other type of oil - sesame oil or even coconut aminos :)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- A few dashes of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. Bragg's Amino Acids
- Pepper to taste
Method:
1. Begin by softening cashews in a cup of water. Set aside.
2. Brown the meat, onions and garlic in a saute pan until the meat is cooked through and the onions are soft.
3. Once the cashews are softened (about 10 minutes), drain the water and add cashews to the meat mixture.
4. Add Bragg's Amino Acids, ground ginger, and honey to taste. Once it's all mixed together, keep the meat mixture set on low heat.
5. In a separate saute pan, brown the Ramen noodles and almonds in 1 tbsp. of butter until lightly toasted. Set these aside on paper towel.
6. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the broccoli slaw with diced green onions and toasted Ramen noodles. Stir gently and add dressing.
7. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients and vigorously stir until mixed. Top the broccoli slaw and mix well.
8. Layer individual lettuce leaves with meat mixture and slaw. Drizzle with a bit of lime juice.
Bon appetit!
Notes:
- The amount of Bragg's, honey and ginger is where you can get creative. I start with a little of each, and keep adding to the dish as I taste it and decide the intensity of flavor I want to work with. I probably end up with a couple of tablespoons each of honey and Bragg's, and a healthy dusting of ginger.
