Lettuce Wraps

These make a nice appetizer or you can add cooked fish, chicken, lean beef or pork and serve with a side of brown rice to make them a meal.

Wraps:

Ingredients:

1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped carrots
1 eight ounce can water chestnuts, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped red, yellow or orange bell pepper
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (*use a gluten-free brand such as San-J if you are on a gluten-free diet)
4 -6 lettuce leaves, rinsed well and dried
chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
slivered almonds (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

Place ½ teaspoon sesame oil, garlic and onions in a large skillet, pan or wok and sauté for a few minutes until slightly browned. Add another ½ teaspoon sesame oil and throw in the celery, carrot, water chestnuts and pepper and sauté for about 4-5 minutes. Then add the last ½ teaspoon of sesame oil, the tablespoon of soy sauce and the mushrooms and sauté for another 3-5 minutes until all the vegetables are slightly softened. Let cool for a few minutes then spoon the mixture into the lettuce leaves. Top with sauce (recipe listed below). These can also be made ahead of time, chilled and served cold.

Sauce

2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons light coconut milk
2 tablespoons water
1½ teaspoons soy sauce (*use a gluten-free brand such as San-J if you are on a gluten-free diet)
1½ teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon lime juice
¼ teaspoon fresh or powdered ginger
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes


Combine all of the above listed ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together until a smooth consistency is reached.

Makes 4-6 wraps, (4 large or 6 smaller)

Serving size: 1 small lettuce wrap without sauce (1/6 recipe) Calories 48 Protein 1.5 g Carb 8 g Fiber 3 g Sugars 3 g Fat 1 g Saturated fat <1 g Sodium 134 mg

With sauce: Calories 90 Protein 3 g Carb 10 g Fiber 3 g Sugars 4 g Fat 5 g Saturated fat 1 g Sodium 217 mg

Serving size: 1 large lettuce wrap(1/4 recipe) Calories 73 Protein 2 g Carb 13 g Fiber 4 g Sugars 5 g Fat 2 g Saturated fat <1 g Sodium 199 mg

With sauce: Calories 136 Protein 4 g Carb 15 g Fiber 4 g Sugars 6 g Fat 8 g Saturated fat 1 g Sodium 323 mg