MetroVan Independent News August 2015 | Page 18

18 MetroVanIndependent.com August 2015 Food ingredients Chicken lettuce wraps. Chicken Lettuce Wraps EASY & DELICIOUS By Tota Mendez During my stay in Las Vegas, I wandered down the strip and discovered a Singaporean restaurant called PF Chang. The appetizer I ordered was their Lettuce Wrap and it was really delicious. So I decided to see if I can make these wraps as close to the real thing. I couldn’t find any watercress so I decided to use mushrooms and carrots instead. The only downside is both ingredients produce water and because I’m using chicken thighs for this recipe instead of chicken breasts or ground chicken, this will help the thighs tenderize while reducing the amount of water as it simmers. The chicken meat came out tender and juicy. I’m also going to show you how to make the dipping sauce. It’s very easy and it really compliments the wrap. Be prepared to eat more than 3, or 4 or more. Just make sure you have lots of paper napkins. Love eating it messy! Directions: 1. Make the Dipping Sauce first by combining all ingredients in a pot. Let it simmer in low heat until all flavours Photo by Tota Mendez are incorporated. Turn off heat after 20 minutes and set aside. 2. Heat oil in a wok over medium high heat. 3. Add mushrooms and cook until all water is absorbed. Add chicken thighs, onions, garlic and carrots and cook. Reduce excess water while it cooks. This will help tenderize the meat. Once the water is reduced, cook the chicken until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary. 4. Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger and Sriracha. Stir in green onions until tender. 5. Spoon the meat in the center of a lettuce leaf, roll or eat it like a Taco. Enjoy! Tota Mendez is a musician and avid food lover originally from Manila, Philippines. Her recipes are inspired from her days of traveling all over the world which is mostly Asian Cuisine.