Lessons Learned

Today I learned several valuable lessons:

1.  Running errands is most effective when you take your wallet with you.

2.  Dry ginger cannot be substituted for fresh ginger or pickled ginger in a recipe.

3. I have the most awesome neighbor in the world- Shelly went to the store and bought fresh ginger since both my girls were napping!  Dinner saved!

I love P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps- just typing this makes my mouth water.  Well a few weeks ago, a friend of mine brought them to a potluck- SCORE!  Here is her recipe.  I just made them tonight for dinner.  I hope the girls will eat them...if not, more for Mommy :)

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients

• 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce*
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar- vinegar section of grocery store
• Asian sweet chili sauce* (optional)--I also use this as a condiment on top of the chicken mixture in the wrap as well as a sprig of cilantro
• 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil*
• 1 bunch cilantro for garnishing and topping wraps

                                    *these items are located in the International/Chinese section of grocery store

Directions

1. Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside.
2. In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often and reducing the heat to medium, if necessary. Drain, and set aside to cool. Cook the onion in the same pan, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and chile pepper sauce to the onions, and stir. Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked chicken; continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
3. Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito, top with chili sauce and cilantro to taste and enjoy!