Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps
 
 
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
for the pickled cucumber salad
  • ½ large English cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
  • ⅓ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1½ teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
for the ginger scallion sauce
  • 6-8 scallions, bottoms removed and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
for the lettuce wraps
  • 1 pound ground chicken or pork
  • ½ red onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (if you don’t like spicy food remove all seeds and pith)
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Boston lettuce leaves, for serving
  • Steamed brown rice, for serving
Directions
for the pickled cucumber salad
  1. Combine the cucumber, onion, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes (if using) in a mixing bowl. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving. Or make ahead as it will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
for the ginger scallion sauce
  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the scallions, ginger, soy sauce, oil and vinegar. Letting the sauce sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before eating will deepen the flavor.
for the lettuce wraps
  1. Preheat a lightly oiled grill pan or grill over medium-high heat. If using a grill you might want to skewer the meatballs to make them easier to turn and cook.
  2. Combine the ground chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, jalapeño, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl until just combined. Be sure not to over-mix. Divide into 12 evenly sized meatballs. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove from the heat and use the lettuce to make wraps stuffed with the rice, grilled meatballs, pickled cucumber salad and ginger scallion sauce.
Recipe by Lemon & Mocha at http://www.lemonandmocha.com/2019/09/25/asian-chicken-meatball-lettuce-wraps/