If you're looking for a really healthy, light meal then stop searching, you've found the right recipe. My Asian flavoured turkey lettuce wraps are not only low calorie they really pack some flavour.
New to the idea of lettuce wraps? Like me you'll be surprised at just how delicious they are, they add a freshness and crunch that normal tortilla wraps don't have. No you won't have the same stuffed feeling as you normally do after dinner because they are so much lighter (definitely treat as a small meal or epic snack) but if you're looking to eat a little healthier without sacrificing on flavour the look no further.
Turkey mince is often over looked in supermarkets, we seem to grab chicken or red meat much more readily then turkey but I think its one of the best meats out there. Its amazingly lean, making it low in fat and my personal opinion is, its much more flavoursome then chicken making it a great pairing for these punchy Asian flavours.
Will make 6-8 wraps depending on size
Prep time 15mins (+ 1hr marinating time minimum)
Cooking time 15mins
500g turkey mince, breast or thigh works.
2 lemongrass stalks, peel off outer layer then finely chop the rest, except the root at the very bottom.
1.5tbsp ginger puree
2tsp of finely chopped coriander stalks
1tbsp fish sauce
2tsp soy sauce
2tbsp veg oil
1 extra tbsp soy sauce to add once the mince is cooked
1 nest of dried rice noodles
6-8 lettuce leaves, mini gem or romaine work well
2 garlic cloves crushed
4tbsp fish sauce
2tbsp sesame oil
Juice of 1 lime
1tsp sugar
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
1 carrot, finely julienned
3 or 4 radishes, finely sliced
Coriander leaves
2 spring onions, finely sliced
Sriracha Hot sauce (optional)
At least an hour before cooking mix the turkey mince with the chopped lemongrass, ginger puree, chopped coriander, fish sauce and soy sauce, give it a good stir, cover and leave for the flavours to develop in the fridge. You don't have to leave it for an hour but try to leave it for at least 15 mins, you can use this time to make the dipping sauce.
To make the dipping sauce simply whisk all of the dipping sauce ingredients together and set aside.
Back to the lettuce wraps.
Boil the kettle.
In a large frying pan, preferably non stick, on a medium to high heat add the oil and let it heat up. Once hot add the turkey mince, let it sit in the pan for about 2 mins with out moving it, we want to try and get a crisp and crumbly texture. After the couple of minutes, stir it around being sure to break it up so there's no large lumps. Again let it cook un moved for a couple of minutes, repeat this until there meat is fully cooked through, around 10mins.
While the mince is cooking, put the dried noodles in to a bowl and pour over boiling water until just covered. Let them sit in the hot water for around 5 mins. This is enough to cook the noodles.
Once you're happy the turkey mince is cooked add, 1tbsp of soy sauce to the mince, this will add a nice bit of extra flavour and colour.
Now drain the noodles, drizzle with a little sesame oil to stop them from clumping together.
Assemble your lettuce wraps.
Grab a lettuce leaf, add some noodles, turkey mince and then top with whichever garnishes you fancy. Enjoy it with a deep dip in the yummy dipping sauce.
