Stuffed Lettuce Food

ASIAN LETTUCE WRAPS

Steps:

• Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and cooking oil in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease; transfer beef to a bowl. Cook and stir onion in the same skillet used for beef until slightly tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir hoisin sauce, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and chile pepper sauce into onions. Add water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; cook and stir until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
• Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter and pile meat mixture in the center.

STUFFED HEAD LETTUCE

Steps:

• Wash lettuce; remove core.
• With a tablespoon, remove enough of the lettuce around core to leave a cavity 2 to 3 in diameter.
• Save removed lettuce for another use.
• Combine cheeses, carrot, green pepper, tomato, pepper, salt and onion, pack firmly into lettuce cavity.
• Wrap lettuce head in foil or plastic wrap and chill until center is solid.
• Slice lettuce into wedges.
• Serve with dressing of your choice.
• A few pieces of fresh fruit (grapes, strawberries or melon) placed on the salad plate is very nice.

LETTUCE LEAVES STUFFED WITH FISH AND SHRIMP

Steps:

• Pick over spinach to remove tough stems and blemished leaves.
• Bring quantity of water to boil and add spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Drain well and when cool enough to handle squeeze to remove excess liquid. There should be slightly less than 1/2 cup.
• Drop lettuce leaves into boiling water and stir down gently until all are immersed. Let simmer minute or two or until leaves are wilted. Drain. Arrange on kitchen towel to dry briefly. Cut away small portion of tough center section at stems.
• Put clams into small saucepan and add wine. Cover and bring to boil. Let simmer until clams are opened.
• Cut fish fillet lengthwise in half. Lightly score on each side using sharp knife. Cut halves diagonally into one-inch-wide pieces. Set aside.
• Cut shrimp in half crosswise. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in skillet and add scallions and garlic. Cook briefly, stirring, without browning. Add fish and shrimp and cook, stirring gently. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove 5 clams from shells and add to fish and shrimp. Leave remaining clams on half shell and set aside.
• Put spinach in food processor or blender and add 1/4 cup of fish stock. Blend thoroughly. Add remaining stock and 1/4 cup of cream and blend. Pour mixture into saucepan and add remaining cream. Bring to boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Open lettuce leaves and fill centers with fish mixture. Fold leaves over gently to make neat packages.
• Butter baking dish large enough to hold packages in one layer. Arrange close together.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in skillet and add turnip, celery and carrot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes.
• Pour spinach sauce over filled lettuce leaves. Drain julienne vegetable strips and sprinkle over lettuce leaves. Arrange clams on half shell on top, shell side down.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cover the dish with foil and bake until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Do not overcook or fish and seafood will dry out.

PEANUT-STUFFED LETTUCE WRAPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, vinegar, and crushed red pepper. Add coleslaw mix and peanuts; toss to coat.
• Divide mixture among lettuce leaves; roll up to serve.