These grain-free wraps are fun to build, great for easy entertaining, and completely customizable to include your favourite ingredients.

Asian lettuce wraps

Ingredients:

12 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves

1 pound lean thinly diced beef

1 ½ tbsp cooking oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 tsp soy sauce

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 tsp minced fresh ginger

1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 tsp Asian chili pepper sauce

1 ½ canned water chestnuts, drained, cut into half and thinly sliced

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 tsp sesame oil, dark

Thinly julienned carrots

Deep fried glass noodles

Toasted cashews or salted peanuts

Method:

Rinse whole lettuce leaves, pat dry and set aside.

Next, in a medium skillet over high heat, brown the diced beef in the oil, stirring often and reducing the heat to medium, then drain, and set aside to cool.

Next, cook the onion in the same pan, stirring frequently, add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and chili pepper sauce to the onions, continue to stir. Next, add the chopped water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.

In separate bowls serve thinly julienned carrots, deep fried glass noodles, and toasted cashews or salted peanuts. Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow your guests to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf, letting them choose from the selection of sides. Wrap and enjoy!

Serves 4

Courtesy Michael Bonacini, www.oliverbonacini.com