There are some days when I think that living in the time of the caveman might have been kind of cool. It’s not the hunting and gathering part that I daydream about because, knowing my lack of proficiency with tending to plants, I think I would have been relegated to the status of “least useful wife”. Nor is it the fighting-off-the-wild-animal part – I can’t run fast and I am certain I would have been lousy with a spear. Though I have pretty good aim, so maybe I could bean the long-toothed beast in the head with a large fruit. Nor is it the skimpy-outfit part – I look horrible in fur and I would be looking over my shoulder constantly, awaiting the arrival of a band of angry PETAs.
No, it is none of these things that make me think I would have made a good Neanderthalean maiden. The area I would excel in would be eating – with my hands. There is something about eating with one’s hands that feels so primitive, so primal, so…fun! Some of the best meals I have eaten involved a distinct lack of utensils. One of my kids’ favorite meals is the Flank Steak, Sweet Potato Noodle & Vegetable Spring Rolls that I make for them a couple of times each month. Sure, they like the taste, but I think what really appeals to them is them get to eat with their hands.
These lettuce wraps, packed with ground pork, green beans, chiles, and water chestnuts, are made even more enticing by the rich, syrupy hoisin sauce. Let each person fill the lettuce cups with the pork mixture, then watch them dig in and enjoy this flavorful entree or appetizer. They might even give you a grunt that would make any cave dweller proud.
Sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar.
Pork:
Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger and 2 teaspoons (use more or less to your taste) finely chopped red jalapeno pepper, seeds and membranes removed. Saute for 1 minute. Add 2 cloves garlic, finely minced, and saute for additional 30 seconds. Add 1 1/4 pounds ground pork and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the pork is cooked through.
Transfer the pork mixture to a large bowl lined with paper towel. That will help to soak up some of that extra fat from the pork.
Add 2 teaspoons canola oil to the skillet. Saute 6 ounces green beans (ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces) and 2/3 cup chopped water chestnuts until the green beans are tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir the pork mixture back into the skillet and add the hoisin sauce. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the pork mixture to a serving platter. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds. Wash and dry the leaves of two heads of Boston butter lettuce. Serve with the wraps and allow everyone to scoop some of the pork mixture into the lettuce leaves to make individual wraps. Eat with your hands!
Other lettuce wrap recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Soba Noodle & Vegetable Lettuce Wraps
Wasabimon’s PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
Pork & Green Bean Lettuce Wraps with Sesame Hoisin Sauce
Sauce adapted from a Bon Appetit recipe
Ingredients:
The sauce:
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
The pork:
4 tsp canola oil, divided
2 tbsp peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
2 tsp finely chopped red jalapeno pepper (use more or less to your taste)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 lb ground pork
6 oz. green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (totaled about 1 cup)
2/3 cup chopped water chestnuts
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 heads Boston butter lettuce
Directions:
The sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
The pork:
Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add ginger and jalapeno pepper. Saute for 1 minute. Add garlic and saute for additional 30 seconds. Add ground pork and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the pork is cooked through.
Transfer the pork mixture to a large bowl lined with paper towel. That will help to soak up some of that extra fat from the pork.
Add 2 teaspoons canola oil to the skillet. Saute green beans and water chestnuts until the green beans are tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir the pork mixture back into the skillet and add the hoisin sauce. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the pork mixture to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Wash and dry the leaves of two heads of Boston butter lettuce. Serve with the wraps and allow everyone to scoop some of the pork mixture into the lettuce leaves to make individual wraps. Eat with your hands!
Serves 4 as an entree or 6-8 as an appetizer.
Kristen says
That looks amazing. What a great combination!
MaryMoh says
Very lovely lettuce wraps….my favourite. I love the fun of eating them.
Drick says
nicely seasoned meat, like the crunch of the chestnuts … I too like to eat with my hands, ribs, corn on cob, fried chicken…
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
These look great, I love lettuce wraps!
My husband and I had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant yesterday and had a long conversation about the bottle of Hoisin sauce on the table – he's never had it (although i'm sure he has eaten it in plenty of dishes) but now he wants to make something with it! This will be just perfect!
Jamie says
You just gave me my first big huge guffaw of the day! Too funny. Trying to picture you dressed like Raquel Welsh in that caveman movie chasing huge animals with a rock! But the point is this fantastic pork in lettuce leave dish. Yum! Scrumptious!
Angie says
I've got to make some lettuce wraps, these look amazing. I used your red pepper pesto recipe last night as reference to make a red pepper basil pesto pasta with olives, it was great! I'll have to try it with cilantro next time, I was out last night.
Jenny says
Gorgeous lettuce wraps! These make the perfect dinner!
Emily Malloy says
It is recipes like this that make you my favorite Canadian. And, well, overall, just my favorite person 🙂
Food o' del Mundo says
So beautiful and looks fairly easy.
My husband calls me the Hunter Gatherer, and not in a nice, sweet, feminine way. Should I be upset 😉
Jakayla says
Now I’m like, well duh! Truly thuanfkl for your help.
cheap insurance says
Thanks for spending time on the computer (writing) so others don’t have to.
Pacheco Patty says
Wow, beautiful photo and great idea for a summer meal, thanks for sharing!
Cookin' Canuck says
Kristen, Jenny, Patty – Thank you!
Mary, Drick – One of the best parts of the meal is eating with your hands!
Rachel – I fell in love with hoisin sauce years ago and try to find as many excuses as I can to cook with it.
Jamie – I could only dream about looking like Raquel Welch. Good thing I don't live in the time of the caveman.
Angie – Glad to hear your pesto recipe turned out well. Definitely try the cilantro next time – it adds a really unique flavor.
Emily – Thanks, you're a sweetie!
Mary – Choose to take it as a compliment. After seeing so many of your fabulous recipes, I think he's probably pretty happy about your hunting and gathering skills.
Bryt says
I love healthy food that actually looks delicious!! Am definitely keeping this recipe. Gorgeous photography too!!
Belinda @zomppa says
Couldn't agree with you more! You had to raise it up a level with that sesame! =)
Jean says
These are the most flavorful-looking lettuce wraps I've seen in a long time. Most look pale, anemic. Yours are vibrant and the green beans look crisp. I'm sure cavemen and we, their modern descendants would love these equally! 🙂
Marisa says
This would be so good for dinner. Your pictures are fantastic! I love eating with my hands too. Sometimes I feel like it just tastes better when you do!
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says
I love food you eat with your hands! These sound delicious, thanks for sharing!
pegasuslegend says
these are great wraps I just love that sauce!
Amanda says
What a gorgeous presentation! Bet they were delicious!
Sprinkled with Flour says
These look so delicious. I think eating with your hands somehow makes food taste even better 🙂
Thibeault's Table says
That looks wonderful. What a gorgeous picture.
Asian Lettuce cups are a favourite of mine. I've never tried them with Green Beans. Great idea.
Kim (Liv Life) says
I have only had those at PF Changs (thanks for that link!) but these look darn good. Have never made them myself, but I love the crunch of the lettuce… I think I must try this!
Homescratchcanam says
YU-UM!!!
fromBAtoParis says
Yes, certain things just have to be eaten with the hands, if not they lose their flavor and charm !!!!
Amazing photos!!
Paula says
that`s really nice idea for a light and delicious dish!
Kalyn says
This sounds great. I think eating with your hands makes the food taste better!
Ingrid says
These look great! Haven't tried wraps with pork yet…Yum
Anonymous says
First time visitor. Made these today – they were OUTSTANDING! Thanks! – Andrea
Cookin' Canuck says
Bryt, Lynn, Claudia, Amanda, Thiebeault, Kim, Homescratch, Paula, Ingrid – Thank you!
Belinda – Yes, the sesame adds a really nice extra flavor.
Jean – Overdone green beans are one of my pet peeves. I always try to do them tender-crisp.
Marisa, Sprinkled, BAtoParis, Kalyn – I completely agree!
Anonymous – Thanks for letting me know. I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
penny aka jeroxie says
Nice intepretation!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
What a gorgeous and healthy dish! This makes me hungry!
megan says
These are drool worthy!!!
[email protected] says
I absolutely love lettuce wraps, such a quick and delicious dinner.
Tracy says
These look great! Love lettuce wraps and am always looking for new flavor combinations!
Michelle says
Gorgeous presentation and photos! Thinking these might be a great treat for our Sunday Football viewing!
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker says
Awesome lettuce wraps recipe! I need to try making more Asian-inspired dishes at home!
marla {family fresh cooking} says
You are hilarious. Not sure what part of the Neanderthal woman thing I would be good at. Now I will be pondering that one 🙂 I too enjoy eating with my hands. Less, to put in the dishwasher, right?? Your lettuce wraps are gorgeous! xo
Jen says
ouu. i had this at restaurants before. Usually it is the left over from the peking duck. 🙂 love to eat it with lettuce!!
Have a fabulous week!!
jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca
jen cheung says
oppps! forgot to put name & URL
Have a fabulous week!!
jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca
Peggy says
I'm pretty excited, I'm making these tonight for dinner! I'm sure they're be fabulous!
Jeanne @ CookSister! says
Oh that looks fantastic and sounds delicious! I love things served in lettuce leaves – delicious AND saves on washing up! 😉
Spoon and Chopsticks says
What a wonderful idea. It's amazing. I love hoisin sauce and I can feel it goes well with it.
Lin Ann says
I like this recipe!