Chinese style chicken in crunchy lettuce boats

Chinese New Year is on the 5th of February and this year it’s the year of the Pig! It’s a good sign to be born under, according to the Chinese zodiac if you are born in the year of the Pig you have a beautiful personality and are blessed with a life of good fortune!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 clove of garlic crushed
2 shallots finely sliced
500g Chicken or Turkey mince
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
Juice of half a lime
3 spring onions – 2 finely chopped and 1 shredded for garnish
A thumb size of fresh ginger grated
220g tin water chestnuts diced
2-4 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (approx 20-30g)
3/4 little gem lettuce broken into individual leaves
25g Peanuts

Method

Heat the sesame oil in a frying pan or wok and add the garlic, shallots and mince and cook for 3-4 minutes until the mince has browned. I like to use turkey thigh mince as it is packed with flavour.

Next add the lime juice, soy, fish sauce, ginger and water chestnuts, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

While the dish is simmering gently toast the peanuts in a dry frying pan for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently so they don’t burn. Once browned tip onto a plate and leave to cool. Once cooled roughly chop and set to one side.

Finally add the coriander and spring onions to the mince and cook for a further 2 -3 minutes.  

Fill the individual lettuce leaves with the mince and garnish with the peanuts, some chopped coriander and shredded spring onion. Serve immediately.

This is a good healthy alternative to a takeaway and just as tasty! They are a great finger food, ideal as a starter or canapés or part of a Chinese feast.

Kirsty Wilson Close

Instagram  kirsty_in_the_kitchen

Food Styling, Food Writing, Food Lover