Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce Wraps are a family favorite! Let me show you how easy they are to make at home!

 

Lettuce Wraps 

The first time I tried Lettuce Wraps was at PF Chang's.  Remember those?  Well I haven't been to one in many years and yet I still love lettuce wraps.  So I make them at home.  They are SO EASY to make, you'll wonder why you didn't try this before now.

Crisp cups of butter lettuce is filled with ground turkey (you can use chicken or pork), fresh vegetables, and an Asian sauce that will bring all the flavors together and knock your socks off!  Did I mention you can make this dish in under 30 minutes?  Perfect for a quick weeknight meal when you don't want to fuss and want dinner on the table in a flash.  This is one dish the whole family will be asking for more.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• Butter lettuce or Boston Bibb lettuce - these are shaped with cupped leaves

• Shredded Carrots

• Shredded Cabbage (optional) - note: I couldn't find mine so my pictures do not include the cabbage, but I recommend it for a little crunch and color.

• Cilantro - fresh

• Cashews or peanuts

• Ground turkey

• Hoisin sauce

• Lite soy sauce

• Limes

• Chili garlic sauce

• Ginger - fresh minced or paste

• Garlic cloves - fresh

Substitutions and Variations

• Meat:  Use ground chicken or pork or go vegetarian with tofu

• Vegetables:  Add sliced green onions, mushrooms, cucumbers, or bell peppers

• Nuts: These add nice crunch but if you are allergic then leave them out

• Toppings:  Fried wontons or crunchy fried chow mein noodles add nice crunch.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Leftovers?  Store the chicken and the lettuce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• Freezer Friendly:  The chicken mixture can be made, cooled, and then placed in a freezer bag or container for up to 2 months.  Thaw in the refrigerator before heating.

• Reheat: I would add a smidge of water or chicken broth to the mixture and then reheat in a skillet over medium heat.

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Lettuce Wraps

serves 4

Sauce:

1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 Tablespoons lite soy sauce
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 Tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 teaspoon ginger, minced or paste
1 clove garlic, minced

Wraps:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 large head Butter or Bibb lettuce
1 pkg of shredded carrots
1 pkg of shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup cashew halves

In a small bowl whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, ginger, and garlic.  Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium high heat add canola oil.  When heated add the ground turkey and cook 5 - 7 minutes breaking up in to small pieces.  When fully cooked add the sauce and stir to coat all the meat.  

On a platter place the individual lettuce leaves.  Spoon on the turkey into the center of each leaf.  Top with a sprinkling of carrots, cabbage, cilantro, and cashews.  Serve.

The BEST Brioche French Toast

Brioche is the best bread for making French toast; crisping to a rich golden brown and laced with the perfect balance of flavors.

 

The BEST Brioche French Toast

Sundays are our day to have a leisurely breakfast and I've been making this Brioche French toast for years.  It's one the whole family loves and it's my go to recipe when we have guests over.  The aroma of vanilla and cinnamon fills the kitchen while the toast is cooking and will have everyone gathering around the table.

Brioche is a rich, tender bread filled with butter and eggs.  It makes for a rich French toast which is the BEST I've had.  Spice it with vanilla and cinnamon and this is heaven on a plate.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• Brioche bread - a French bread recipe made with eggs and butter.  Can be found in the grocery store.

• eggs

• milk

• pure vanilla extract

• cinnamon

• sugar

Substitutions and Variations

• Milk - can substitute cream for a richer flavor or use 2% milk for a lighter (less fat) in calorie dish

• Milk substitutes - almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk will work as well.

• Sugar - any sugar or sugar substitute will work with this recipe.

• Bread substitutes - while this dish is best with Brioche bread you can use your favorite bread but it won't likely be as decadent or rich.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• I use a pie plate or a breading dish like this one to mix up my custard for dipping.

• How to top French toast:  butter, maple syrup, fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a mixture) Honey, whipped cream, Nutella, or powdered sugar.

• Board or buffet style:  place toppings in small bowls and serve alongside the French toast and some bacon or sausage.

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The BEST Brioche French Toast

serves 4

8 slices brioche bread

3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toppings Optional: maple syrup, butter, whipped cream, fresh berries

Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium low heat.

Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl or pie plate.  Add milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon whisking to combine.

Add butter or cooking spray to the pan.  Dip a slice of bread in to the egg wash and allow it to soak up the mixture for 5 seconds per side.  Add the bread to the pan and cook until golden brown about 3 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side another 3 minutes.  

Repeat with the remaining bread slices.  Serve warm with desired toppings.

Lemon Chili Avocado Toast

What do you do when it's raining Avocados?  Make my Lemon Chili Avocado Toast of course!  With only 4 ingredients you'll have a jump start to your day.

 

Lemon Chili Avocado Toast

It's avocado season in California and we have some of the best avocados anywhere with a buttery smooth and creamy texture.  They can be used in so many dishes from salads, to toppings for soup, tacos, in salsas, and for breakfast on toast.  

My Lemon Chili Avocado Toast is full of flavor and you only need 4 ingredients.  The lemon and chili bring a flavor pop to the dish and compliment the avocado.  The best eye opening dish that's simple to make.  I used toasted sourdough as my base but choose your favorite bread.

Let's do breakfast!

What Ingredients do I need?

• Sourdough bread

• Avocados - Hass are a good choice

• lemon

• chili flakes

• Pantry Staples:  salt & pepper

Substitutions and Variations

• Bread - choose your favorite bread.  Multi-grain, wheat or Italian country are all good choices

• Adjust the heat - use just a pinch of chili flakes for mild heat or add more if you like it hot

 

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Avocados - there are several varieties of avocado and any of them will work.  I tend to prefer Hass which are small and dark with bumpy skins.  They have a little more buttery fat and aren't watery.

• Best eaten right away - avocados tend to brown with exposure to air so eating all the the avocado mixture right away is suggested.  The lemon will deter the browning but will not last as leftovers in the refrigerator.

• Toast your bread well so it hold up to the avocado mixture and doesn't get soggy.  Use a toaster, toaster oven, or toast/broil in the oven.

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Lemon Chili Avocado Toast

serves 2

1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 sliced of sourdough bread
1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes

Cut the avocado lengthwise around the pit.  Twist the top half off the bottom.  Take a chef's knife and chop the pit so the blade sticks into it.  Twist the blade to remove the pit.  Scoop out the flesh in to a bowl.  Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Mash with a fork and combine.

Toast bread then spread each slice with avocado mixture.  Serve. 

adapted from:  The Quick Fix Six