My cooking adventures continue this week with another recipe from the Cravings cookbook, Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
I have always been a huge fan of chicken lettuce wraps. I used to go to P.F. Changs just for their lettuce wraps. When I saw the recipe in the Cravings cookbook, it was definitely on my list to make.
I was going to Whole Foods, so I knew I would be able to get ground chicken (which I can't seem to find anywhere else). I picked up all of the ingredients and thought it would be pretty easy. The total time says 30 minutes, so I knew I could easily put it together for a weeknight meal. WRONG.
Either Chrissy uses a food processor, is a super fast chopper, or it is bs because it took me A LOT longer. You have to chop scallions (both the green and white part), 1/2 pounds of white mushrooms, 1/2 cup of water chestnuts, 1 red bell pepper and 1 tablespoon of ginger. The mushrooms took forever since everything has to be minced. Chopping would have been fine, but mincing everything takes so much longer.
Once everything was prepped, I made the sauce and cleaned the butter lettuce. I browned the ground chicken and removed it to start cooking everything else. This is when it got messy. You heat the oil, then add in your scallion whites, garlic and ginger. So much splatter from the oil (and yes I used the proper oil per the recipe).
I continued by adding in the mushrooms and cooking for a few minutes. Next, add back in your cooked chicken, water chestnuts, bell pepper and sauce. By this time, I was mad that not only did the mincing take forever, but my kitchen was covered in oil (the subway tile back splash, the stove top, the floor, counter top near the burner and one cabinet). I told Rory this better taste awful because I never want to make this again.
After everything was done cooking, I added in the green scallions and we served the ourselves.
This is how Chrissy's looks:
And this is how mine came out:
It was time to taste them....and they were heavenly. Seriously soooo good. Even though they were more trouble than the recipe states, I still want to make them again with these few changes. I will use a food processor to mince everything and I will either cook it in a stockpot or with a grease screen on top. I had to clean part of my kitchen after which included moping the floors at 8 pm which is never fun.
Onto the next recipe.
We love lettuce wraps! I've been making taco lettuce wraps and they are great! Yours look so yummy!
ReplyDeleteThese look so yummy!! I have been wanting to try making them but I'm all about a quick and easy meal haha
ReplyDeleteI love lettuce wraps! I need to make these soon since they look tasty and they totally fit my new diabetes diet haha
ReplyDeleteI love lettuce wraps but you're right, that sounds like a lot of work. I think a food processor would help a ton. I get super annoyed when I'm cooking and have to clean my kitchen more than I would like LOL
ReplyDeleteI hate it when you have to clean more than you thought would have to because of using cooking oil! Ugh I hear your 'pain'! They do sound and look delish though! :)
ReplyDeleteI love making these!!! Like you, my go-to at P.F. Changs was always the lettuce wraps, and it really is surprising how easy they are to make.
ReplyDeleteI hate oil splatters. I am constantly burning myself when I deal with oil. Its the worst.
ReplyDeleteThey turned out great looking. Its hard to get the picture look of yummy food.
Those look SOOOOOOOOOOO good. I don't have a food processor, but definitely wish we had one. I like how you share the honest part of this because then I know what to expect if I try it. Good work!
ReplyDeleteThese are the recipe from that cookbook I've been most looking forward to trying! It'll probably be closer to April when we do, but I'll definitely keep in mind using a food processor and stock pot to help contain the mess!
ReplyDeleteYes you definitely need a stock pot and food processor. It is so good that I am making it again this week even though it is a lot of chopping!
DeleteThese look SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO flipping good. I freaking love lettuce wraps so I need to try these immediately. I have no clue where to get ground chicken, though. We don't have a Whole Foods, but we do have a Fresh Market... I'll have to check there.
ReplyDeleteLOVE PF Chang's lettuce wraps! I must try these!!
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