Five Spice Lettuce Wraps

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/five_spice_turkey_lettuce_wraps.html

Click the link above to see the original recipe with beautiful professional photos! Then, read the post below for how we have perfected this awesome lettuce wrap!

We have decided that Eatingwell has created a fantastic base with this recipe and that it doesn't need many changes, but the ones we have made take it to a whole 'nother level! Their recipe already has a creative flavor combination, but those flavors are so good, why limit them? So we just made a few alterations on the quantities of things like, extra five spice powder, salt, and I think everything is better with garlic so I threw some of that in there too. For the garnishes, we like to pour extra hoisin sauce and rice vinegar on top, and then squeeze a little lime over each one… so good! All of our changes are listed in our version of the recipe below. Enjoy!

Five Spice Lettuce Wraps

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed and chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (Store bought, or See our soy free recipe below)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons five spice powder
• Five spice powder is often a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns, five-spice powder was originally considered a cure-all miracle blend encompassing the five elements (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty). We use HOKAN brand’s Five Spice Powder, and we love it! Sometimes I open it just to smell it for a little aromatherapy while I’m playing culinary goddess in Laura’s Kitchen. I also find it fun to wear her daughter’s tiara every once in a while… but who’s keeping track really!? Diva in the kitchen, watch out!
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (I always end up adding more to taste at the end.)
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, basil, mint and/or chives
• 1 large carrot, shredded (We buy the bag of pre shredded, but go crazy with your mandolin if you so desire!)
• 1 Lime cut into wedges
• Extra rice vinegar for garnish, we pour right out of the bottle (Real classy like)

1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice; reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey, garlic and ginger; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, bell pepper, water chestnuts, broth, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
3. To serve, divide lettuce leaves among plates, spoon some of the turkey mixture into each leaf, top with herbs and carrot and roll into wraps.

Hoisin Sauce 
Normally a spicy, sweet sauce made from soybeans, chiles, garlic and spices, the store bought bottles will keep in the refrigerator for at least a year, and they are great to have on hand.  But since Laura’s son is allergic to soy, we make our own with this recipe:

Hoisin Sauce recipe:

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (We like the fresh ground peanuts from WholeFoods with no additives)
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 tablespoon molasses
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 20 drops chinese hot sauce (Sriracha) 
• If you like hot sauces and you don't know about Sriracha, do not hesitate! Go to the store right now and by some. Look for the picture of the Cock/Chicken on the bottle. Now you know, and you are welcome.
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Add 4 tablespoons coconut aminos
• This brown juice is very much like soy sauce, only not made from soy beans. Tricky!

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small dish
2. Use 2 Tablespoons in with the rice mixture
3. Spoon the rest over each little lettuce taco as a garnish!

Sadly, Laura was ambushed by her own children this evening and was not allowed to enjoy her  tiny-but-delicious lettuce tacos as she would have liked. Poor Laura. They were so good- the Lettuce Wraps, not her little monsters! And, all that soy free business for Aidric, and all he wanted was leftover Salmon from last night. That kid loves him some salmon!