Monday, January 12, 2015

Thai Curry Lettuce Wraps

My neighbor's husband was recently diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. This was indeed a big blow for their family and would take making some major changes to their family's eating habits. I decided to whip up a quick meal that would not only be diabetic-friendly but also quick and delicious. This is one of my favorite recipes because it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare and very versatile. I used chicken this time, but you could easily use, tofu, shrimp, steak, and fish. You could certainly use all veggies. The possibililties are endless!


WHAT YOU NEED:

1 pound of chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces

1 baby yellow pepper

1 baby red pepper

1/4 cup of mushrooms chopped (I used a variety with shitake, oyster and porcini. If you don't have these on hand, white botton mushroom will work)

1 head of butter lettuce (If you can't find butter lettuce, you can use romaine lettuce.)

2 tablespoons of water chestnuts diced

2 tablespoons of bamboo shoots sliced into matchstick strips

1/2 small onion diced

1 tablespoon of Fish Sauce

1/4 cup of ponzu

2 tablespoons of maple syrup

1 tablespoon of red curry paste

1 tablespoon of sesame oil

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

Chopped cilantro, purple cabbage and carrots for garnish



(I am not using salt because the ponzu, fish sauce and red curry paste have enough sodium to flavor the dish. A little goes a long way.)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Heat the coconut oil in a sauce pan on medium to high heat. 
2. While the pan is heating, season the chicken with the garlic powder and ponzu. Add the chopped chicken to the pan. 
3. Add the maple syrup and sesame oil to the chicken. Allow the chicken to brown, approximately 5-7minutes.
4. Add the veggies (peppers, onions, water chestnuts, and the mushrooms) and the fish sauce.
5. Add the red curry paste. Stir to evenly coat ingredients.
6. Continue cooking until chicken is done and
veggies are tender.
7. Pull the butter lettuce leaves from the root.Gently clean the leaves. Dry them with a paper towel.

8. Arrange the garnish around the plate. I like to use purple cabbage, carrots and cucumbers. However, feel free to experiment.

9. Arrange the butter lettuce leaves around the plate. Gently spoon the chicken into the lettuce leaves. Garnish each lettuce wrap with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!



I hope that you will try this super simple delicious recipe. Eating healthy does NOT have to be boring! Don't be afraid to try different variations such as adding more veggies like diced zucchini. Please share this recipe with your friends, give feedback and post your pics after you make the dish. Until next time.......


Love, Peace and Blessings,

The Natural Child