Thai Chicken Wrapped in Lettuce (Laab)

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup water
• 5 green onions, thinly sliced, green and white parts
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons ground rice*
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated

Instructions

1. Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat; add chicken and water. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up large pieces, until chicken has turned completely white, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat; drain chicken.
2. Combine chicken, green onions, shallots, mint, cilantro, fish sauce, ground rice, chile flakes and lime juice in a serving bowl; toss well.
3. Place lettuce on a plate. Let diners prepare their own wraps by placing a spoonful of chicken on a lettuce leaf and rolling it up.
4. Add 1/4 cup rice (jasmine or sticky rice is best, but use whatever you have on hand); stir constantly until the rice turns golden brown, about 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat; let cool.
6. Grind in a coffee mill or spice grinder. You will have some left over for another time.

Notes

Nutrition

Per serving: 162 calories (38 percent from fat), 7g fat, 2g saturated fat, 56mg cholesterol, 10g carbohydrates, 16g protein, 757mg sodium, 2g fiber