Lettuce Cups with Pork in Peanut Sauce

These Lettuce Cups with Pork in Peanut Sauce is an Asian-inspired appetizer, side or entree which consists of ground pork cooked in onions, garlic, ginger, and red bell peppers, then flavored with oyster sauce. A thick, velvety peanut sauce is served on the side. Scoop the meat into the fresh, crisp lettuce cups, and enjoy like you would a taco. This Asian in America blog post by Elizabeth Ann Quirino was inspired by a recipe from Epicurious.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Lettuce Cups Pork Peanut Sauce

Servings: people

Calories: 465kcal

Author: Asian in America - Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Equipment

Large wok or skillet : 12 to 14 inches in diameter

Ingredients

Peanut Sauce

6 to 8 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon toyo (soy sauce)
1 teaspoon lime zest, finely grated
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon patis (fish sauce)
2 stalks scallion greens, chopped, for garnish
1 Tablespoon crushed peanuts, for garnish

Pork Stir Fry

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 whole medium-sized onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 knob (1 inch piece) fresh ginger, chopped
2 stalks scallion whites, chopped
½ cup chopped red bell peppers
1 pound ground pork
1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 whole Bibb lettuce, leaves washed and separated; previously chilled

Instructions

To make the Peanut Sauce:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix all the ingredients together: peanut butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime zest, fresh ginger, fish sauce. Whisk together to combine.
Garnish with scallion greens and crushed peanuts. Cover and set aside.

To make the Pork Stir Fry:

In a large wok or skillet, over medium-high heat, add the oil. When oil is hot enough in 2 minutes, stir fry the onions, garlic, ginger, scallion whites and red bell pepper. Stir fry for 2 minutes till soft and fragrant.
Add the ground pork and combine with the ingredients. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes till meat transforms to a dark color.
Pour the oyster sauce and add the brown sugar. Mix well.
Season with ground black pepper.

To assemble Lettuce Cups:

Arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter, like individual cups. Scoop the meat mixture and place a few tablespoons into each cup.
Serve the lettuce cups with pork, with the peanut sauce on the side.
Garnish with chopped scallion greens all over. Serve warm.

Cook's comments:

You can also use ground chicken, or ground beef if preferred over ground pork. Adjust seasonings to a spicy level if desired by sprinkling sriracha sauce to the ground pork.
Oyster sauce is a Chinese condiment made from oysters, water and salt. It is a multipurpose seasoning for many Asian dishes. It has a thick consistency and is quite salty in flavor. When I use oyster sauce as an ingredient I find there is no need to add salt to the dish.

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