Asian Lime And Herbed Tofu In Lettuce Cups Recipes

SPICY LIME AND HERBED TOFU IN LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• Puree first 5 ingredients in blender. Let mixture stand at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Strain mixture into small bowl, pressing on solids to release any liquid; discard solids. Stir in sweet chili sauce. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Combine first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Add tofu and dressing to bowl; toss to coat.
• Arrange 1 or 2 lettuce leaves on each of 6 plates. Divide tofu mixture among lettuce leaves and serve.
• *Available in the Asian foods section of most supermarkets and at Asian markets.

THAI TOFU LETTUCE WRAPS

Steps:

• For dressing, in a blender, combine the first 11 ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro., In a large bowl, combine the tofu, onions, carrots, red pepper, 1/2 cup peanuts and remaining cilantro. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide among lettuce leaves; sprinkle with remaining peanuts. Fold lettuce over filling.

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.

THAI BASIL TOFU LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• Mix together the bell peppers and rice wine vinegar and marinate for 1 hour and up to a day in the refrigerator.
• In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat, add the vegetable and sesame oils. Add the shallots, garlic and ginger and saute for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Add the tofu by crumbling into small pieces and saute for 15 minutes more.
• In the meantime, whisk together the hot sauce, salt, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and hoisin and add to the tofu. Cook until the sauce thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the chopped Thai basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• To serve, spoon the tofu mixture onto a piece of lettuce and top with the marinated peppers, cashews, scallions, the chiffonade Thai basil and a couple dots of plum sauce. For more heat, add a few drops of hot sauce.

ASIAN LIME AND HERBED TOFU IN LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• NOTE*: Nam pla or nuoc nam (fish sauce) is available in Asian markets. I would strongly suggest to begin by using only 1 TEASPOON of the fish sauce in this recipe and then adjust seasoning accordingly. For vegetarian version, omit the fish sauce.)
• DRESSING: Puree the first 5 ingredients in a blender. Allow the mixture to stand at least 5 minutes or up to 1 hour. Stir in chili sauce.
• Strain the dressing into a small bowl, pressing down the solids with a spatula to release the liquids. Discard solids.
• TOFU: Toss together the first 7 ingredients. Next add the tofu and salad dressing, tossing to coat well.
• For each serving, arrange 1 or 2 lettuce leaves on a plate. Divide the tofu mixture onto the lettuce leaves.