Family Recipe: Chinese Lettuce Cups (San Choy Bau) #chinesefood @NotQuiteNigella

Prep all items by chopping and have them ready and mix up all of the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl ready.

Add the oil to a pan on medium heat. Fry the onion until soft and translucent, then add the ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Increase heat to high and add the mince and brown breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Then add water chestnuts, carrot and celery.

Turn the heat back down to medium and add the sauce mixture and cook until the sauce has been absorbed into the mince and there isn't much liquid left. The vegetables should still be crunchy but not raw. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Remove the 2-3 floppy outer leaves of the iceberg lettuce. Turn the lettuce upside down. Remove the core with a knife and place the lettuce hole side up in the sink. Using cold water only directed on the lettuce, gently pry apart the leaves. Remove them gently and then trim to a circle using scissors.

Place the lettuce leaves on a platter or individual plates. Divide the filling among the lettuce cups and sprinkle with peanuts and spring onion.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary