Have you picked up on the fact that I really love dishes inspired by Asian cuisine? I know, it’s a lot, I mean a lot! Hear me out though. The flavors are simply just amazing! These Lettuce Wraps are no exception. They are packed with fresh herbs, tart & tangy citrus notes, spicy chili, a dash of umami from tamari. It all yields to a balanced flavor profile in each bite. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Ok, so you’re on board with the Asian inspired flavors, but walnut meat? Yes, walnut meat! I know it sounds weird, but trust me, once cooked & flavored the walnuts really take on a similar texture to ground meat products without the…well you know… ground meat. Plus how great are walnuts! They are packed with healthy fats, fiber & all kinds of vitamins & minerals.
Asian Inspired Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 head butter lettuce sub romaine
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 2-3 radishes, shredded or sliced
- 2-3 tbsps pickled red onion
- 2-3 tbsps fresh cilantro
- 2-3 tbsps fresh mint
- 1 lime garnish
- sambal oelek or sriracha additional flavor garnish
Walnut Meat
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder optional
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated or minced
- 1 tsp lemongrass optional see notes
- 1 tbsp tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sambal oelek or sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetable & herb toppings by washing, slicing, dicing, grating, etc…
- Add the walnuts to a food processor & pulse for about 30 seconds. You are looking for small chunky bits. Toss the walnuts with the arrowroot powder if using. The arrowroot powder helps the walnuts to crisp up replicating a non-vegan ground meat.No food processor. You can finely chop up the walnuts with a knife. It just takes a few extra minutes.
- In a cast-iron skillet over medium heat add the sesame oil. Once heated add the walnuts & cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the ginger & garlic. Cook for another minute, stirring often.
- Add the remaining walnut meat ingredients, stirring & cooking for an additional few minutes until the walnuts crisp up, tasting & adjusting until your desired flavoring is achieved. Remove from heat.
- Build your lettuce wraps. Layer lettuce leaves, walnut meat, top with vegetables & herbs. Add your additional flavor garnish with a squeeze of lime & drizzle of chili sauce.