Flavorful stir-fried pork, tofu, and green onion are rolled into a lettuce wrap with steamed rice. Serve family style at the table, and let everyone wrap their own.
INGREDIENTS (for 4 servings):
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups uncooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu, drained and cubed
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon hot chile paste
- 1 head iceberg lettuce leaves, separated
PREPARATION:
In a saucepan combine the water and rice. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, until water is absorbed. Set aside and keep warm.
Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Cook the pork, green onions, and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes, or until lightly brown. Add the tofu, carrot, Hoisin, and soy sauce, stirring frequently until heated through. Remove from heat, and stir in the sesame oil and chile paste.
To serve: spoon a small amount of rice into each lettuce leaf, top with the stir-fry mixture, and drizzle with additional soy sauce or hoisin, if desired. Wrap the lettuce leaf to enclose the filling.
Optional additional stir fry ingredients:These may be used in place of or in addition to the tofu: chopped peanuts, peppers, shrimp, rice noodles, diced chicken, scrambled egg or bean sprouts.
Note:Hoisin sauce, also called Peking sauce, is a thick, reddish-brown sauce that is sweet and spicy, and widely used in Chinese cooking. It's a mixture of soybeans, garlic, chile peppers and various spices. It can be found in Asian markets and many large supermarkets. Look in the Asian or ethnic section. If this item is not in stock at your local store, ask your grocer to special order it for you. Most grocers will be happy to do this for their customers.