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We Love Lettuce Wraps!

February 28, 2011
 Ever since we were introduced to P.F. Chang’s and their gluten free menu, our whole family has fallen in love with lettuce wraps.  I’d never made them at home, but was inspired to try after friends from church invited us over for dinner and served them to us.  They were delicious and the kids gobbled them up like crazy.
 I searched around and read lots of recipes, morphed a few of them together and came up with this beef version.  It calls for flank steak, but that can be a little pricey, so I just opted for a less expensive steak.
We first had these a few weeks ago, and then I whipped some up before I left for the our Beloved Women’s Retreat this weekend, so that my family would have something to eat while I was gone.  As you can see from the clean plates and second helpings, I knew they would be excited about having them again. (Oh ~ and the retreat went well, and I’m not obsessed with things I said and didn’t say ~ hurray!  Now I just need to learn to stay within my time limit ~ it was a VERY long talk.  Eeeek!)

Next I want to try my hand at spring rolls, which are another favorite and naturally gluten free appetizer/entree of mine.  This month’s issue of Eating Well has an asparagus and smoked salmon version that I can’t wait to try.

Beef Lettuce Wraps & Dipping Sauce

2-3 lbs flank steak

Marinade:
1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp minced, fresh ginger
4-5 minced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp black pepper

1 head green leaf, iceberg, or romaine lettuce

Shredded veggies ~ carrots, green onions, bell peppers, cabbage, anything you like!

Sushi rice

Dipping sauce:
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/3 cup gluten free soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp lime juice
3 Tbsp sesame oil
3 Tbsp honey
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix together marinade ingredients, place in baking dish or large ziploc bag.  Add steak to marinade, coat, and let sit in frig for 2-8 hours.  Place steak in baking pan with marinade, cover, and bake steak for 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 350 degrees.  Cut in strips or small chunks, pour juice/marinade over cut steak.

While steak is cooking:
Shred veggies and arrange on serving platter.  Pan roast sesame seeds until slightly browned.  Whisk together dipping sauce ingredients.  Add sesame seeds.  Wash and dry lettuce.

To serve: 
On one leaf of lettuce, add spoonful of beef, rice, and raw veggies.  Add a spoonful of the dipping sauce, roll up, and eat.  Or dip the rolled wrap into the sauce ~ but no double dipping!  Give everyone an individual serving of dipping sauce in a ramekin if in this case!

2 thoughts on “We Love Lettuce Wraps!”

  1. I had never had them before P.F. Chang's either, but they were good enough when we had them there that I convinced my family to try them elsewhere as a shared appetizer, and we all really enjoyed them!

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