I’m pretty sure it was the Asian lettuce wraps at the Yard House that started my Lettuce Wrap obsession. I actually crave them and this recipe will become a staple in your home.
I’m not sure if it’s the flavor that I love so much or the fact that they are made with healing shiitake mushrooms?
Sometimes I think my body instinctively knows there is something in the shiitakes that it needs. This could very well be the case because shiitake mushrooms have A LOT going for them…
Shitakes are a Superfood Mushroom!
If you happened to have read my recent articles on medicinal mushrooms (such as the benefits of Cordyceps or memory-boosting Lion’s Mane), then you know I have been getting into exotic mushrooms in a big way lately.
The shiitake mushrooms used in both my recipe for Mushroom Lettuce Wraps and the Yard House version, not only taste amazing, but truly have some incredible healing properties.
Did you know??
- Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.
- Of all the plant foods, shiitake mushrooms are among the richest source of vitamin D.
- Shiitake mushrooms have 18 types of amino acids, including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids in a ratio similar to the ‘ideal protein’ for humans. Of these amino acids, shiitake is especially rich in leucine and lysine, which are deficient in many grains.
- Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to help balance hormones naturally in both women and men. The superfood mushrooms have the ability to block excess estrogen production. This is especially beneficial in terms of estrogen-related cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and others. (Note: Excess estrogen is very dangerous to health and can also play a factor in age-related weight gain.)
Mushroom Lettuce Wraps Really Satisfy!
Although lettuce wraps are typically served as an appetizer at restaurants, I often have them as an entree. And they are perfect for Meatless Mondays!
Even though mushroom lettuce wraps will have fewer calories than beef or chicken lettuce wraps, I truly do think the mushroom version is more satisfying. They are not meat-free, but I find the same thing to be true with my Turkey Mushroom Burgers; the addition of the mushrooms is more satisfying than an all-beef patty.
Why Would Mushrooms Be So Satisfying?
It could be the umami factor. Mushrooms rank among the most umami-rich foods that exist.
What is umami?
Umami is an odd-sounding word describing an indescribable deliciousness; savory, rich, yum. It’s considered the fifth basic taste after sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Umami also creates both appetite appeal and satiety, the feeling of being gratified to the fullest extent.
Anyway, whatever the scientific explanation, all I know is that these lettuce wraps will definitely satisfy 😉
Kitchen Favorites
Asian Lettuce Wraps
These delicious Asian Lettuce Wraps are incredibly satisfying and can be served as a main dinner. These Lettuce Wraps will become a favorite!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon
- 1 cup diced onion
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and diced
- 4 carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon roasted red chili paste
- 1 can water chestnuts, rinsed and diced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped scallions
- Pink Himalayan sea salt, to taste
- 1 head bibb lettuce
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion, garlic and ginger; saute 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is soft.
- Add the shiitake mushrooms and saute 10 minutes, or until soft.
- Add the carrots, soy sauce, lime juice and chili paste; saute 4 to 5 minutes, or until carrots are soft.
- Stir in the water chestnuts and scallions. Cook for 1 minute. Season with salt to taste.
- To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style.
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Notes
- I find the easiest way to mince the onions, shitake mushrooms and carrots is to use a . However, you need to be careful not to over-process or your vegetables will turn to mush!
- Also, for best results you will want to process each vegetable individually (onions, mushrooms and carrots have different textures and therefore do not mince uniformly if processed all together.)
Want More Clean Eating Dinners?
If you liked the Asian Lettuce Wraps, be sure to check out a full month’s menu of delicious healthy dinner recipes (including weekly shopping lists!) in our Clean Cuisine Dinners digital cookbook.
