Turkey Lettuce Wraps.

Happy Sunday Everyone! I've been off work for 2 weeks now and am not looking forward to returning tomorrow.  Although my holidays were very nice and relaxing, I did indulge in all sorts of wonderful foods.  Now that my belly hates me, I’m going to try getting back on track and eating healthier this month.  I've planned my meals for the week and went grocery shopping today for all the items needed.  I bought plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken and whole grains.  I think it should be fairly easy to get back into the swing of things as I never restrict myself from sweets or other little cravings I may have.  If I want chocolate I’ll have a few squares, if I want salty I will have nuts or crackers, I’ll be sure to satisfy the craving with something moderately healthy and not over indulge.  I could never drink water or eat a vegetable when I have a serious salty or sweet craving, it just doesn't work!  I feel like if I cut out all the sweets for good I would end up crawling into a bathroom one day and binge eating a chocolate cake.  Moderation is key!

With this month being dedicated to healthy eating, I decided to try out the ever so famous P.F Chang’s Lettuce Wraps.  Now I don’t even know what a PF Chang lettuce wrap tastes like because there are no locations in Canada BUT I went with it anyway.  The version I found is clearly much healthier and I did make some small changes to the recipe.  The outcome was full of delicious flavour and left me wanting to eat the whole batch.  I actually preferred the lettuce as the wrap because of the crunchiness, so good! This meal was so easy to make and only took me about 30 minutes.  The original recipe I found at iowagirleats uses ground chicken but I went with ground turkey instead.  I didn't have chopped peanuts on hand for the garnish but I really wish I did, it would've made the meal absolutely perfect….next time! Overall I was pleased with the outcome of this meal and even without the carb's, it was super satisfying (I ate 3 moderately filled wraps) and I’m happy to say that it’s going to become a staple in the kitchen!

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

(Modified version of P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps)

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground turkey  (or you can use ground chicken)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• salt & pepper, a dash of each
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch nob fresh ginger, peeled & minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 1/2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp  peanut butter
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (didn't have this on hand)
• 10-12 large outer lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry

Directions: 

1. Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add turkey, onion, salt & pepper, and cook until turkey is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add in garlic, ginger and red pepper.

2. While the turkey is cooking, heat sesame oil, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar and chili sauce in a microwavable safe bowl for 20 seconds.  Stir until sauce is combined well.

3. Add sauce to skillet and stir to combine.  Add green onions and water chestnuts and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until chestnuts are heated through.

4. Serve with cold lettuce leaves and sprinkle peanuts in each wrap.

Happy Sunday Everyone! I've been off work for 2 weeks now and am not looking forward to returning tomorrow.  Although my holidays were very nice and relaxing, I did indulge in all sorts of wonderful foods.  Now that my belly hates me, I’m going to try getting back on track and eating healthier this month.  I've planned my meals for the week and went grocery shopping today for all the items needed.  I bought plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken and whole grains.  I think it should be fairly easy to get back into the swing of things as I never restrict myself from sweets or other little cravings I may have.  If I want chocolate I’ll have a few squares, if I want salty I will have nuts or crackers, I’ll be sure to satisfy the craving with something moderately healthy and not over indulge.  I could never drink water or eat a vegetable when I have a serious salty or sweet craving, it just doesn't work!  I feel like if I cut out all the sweets for good I would end up crawling into a bathroom one day and binge eating a chocolate cake.  Moderation is key!

With this month being dedicated to healthy eating, I decided to try out the ever so famous P.F Chang’s Lettuce Wraps.  Now I don’t even know what a PF Chang lettuce wrap tastes like because there are no locations in Canada BUT I went with it anyway.  The version I found is clearly much healthier and I did make some small changes to the recipe.  The outcome was full of delicious flavour and left me wanting to eat the whole batch.  I actually preferred the lettuce as the wrap because of the crunchiness, so good! This meal was so easy to make and only took me about 30 minutes.  The original recipe I found at iowagirleats uses ground chicken but I went with ground turkey instead.  I didn't have chopped peanuts on hand for the garnish but I really wish I did, it would've made the meal absolutely perfect….next time! Overall I was pleased with the outcome of this meal and even without the carb's, it was super satisfying (I ate 3 moderately filled wraps) and I’m happy to say that it’s going to become a staple in the kitchen!

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

(Modified version of P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps)

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground turkey  (or you can use ground chicken)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• salt & pepper, a dash of each
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch nob fresh ginger, peeled & minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 1/2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp  peanut butter
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (didn't have this on hand)
• 10-12 large outer lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry

Directions: 

1. Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add turkey, onion, salt & pepper, and cook until turkey is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add in garlic, ginger and red pepper.

2. While the turkey is cooking, heat sesame oil, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar and chili sauce in a microwavable safe bowl for 20 seconds.  Stir until sauce is combined well.

3. Add sauce to skillet and stir to combine.  Add green onions and water chestnuts and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until chestnuts are heated through.

4. Serve with cold lettuce leaves and sprinkle peanuts in each wrap.