Name: Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch OR 2 tbsp uncooked rice (any rice is fine) (Note 1); 3 tbsp water; 2 1/2 tbsp lime juice (1 to 2 limes); 2 tbsp fish sauce; 2 tsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp peanut oil (or other high smoke point cooking oil); 1 tbsp fresh ginger , grated or very finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves , large, minced; 1 lemon grass stalk , white and very pale green part only, finely chopped (Note 2); 2 Thai or birds eye chilli , deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste); 1 lb / 500g chicken mince (ground chicken) OR pork; 1/2 red onion , cut into 4 wedges then finely sliced; 1/3 cup coriander/cilantro leaves , plus extra to garnish; 1/3 cup mint leaves , plus extra to garnish; Serving:; 3 tbsp crushed peanuts (optional); 6 - 8 small to medium lettuce leaves (I used baby cos / romaine) (Note 3); Extra lime wedges, chilli

1. Sauce thickener - The traditional way in Thailand to thicken sauces is to toast then grind rice. A quicker way to do this is to use cornstarch / cornflour which is what I typically use.

Traditional ground rice: Heat a wok (or heavy based fry pan) over high heat. Add the rice and dry cook for 5 minutes until it turns dark golden brown. Remove into a mortar and pestle and ground into powder. Use in place of cornflour in recipe.

2. Lemongrass - use fresh or paste. If using paste, add it with the chicken and use 1 tbsp.

For fresh, poeel the stringy, tough, outside layers off the lemongrass and just use the bottom 7 - 10cm / 3 to 4" of he lemongrass.

3. Lettuce -soft or crisp works fine, don't get too hung up on lettuce shape / type. For crisp, look for leaves that have a natural cup shape. If lettuce is soft, it's perfect for bundling up into rolls!

4. Source:Adapted from a recipe byChew Townand with reference to various Thai cooking books.

5.Nutrition assumes 3 servings as a light main.

Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)

Ingredients

Serving

Steps

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)

Ingredients

Serving

Steps

Notes

Nutrition Facts Nutrition facts are based on 1 serving. If servings is not specified, 6 is assumed for the total recipe.

Nutrition Facts