FFF (Food Freak Friday)- Move over P.F. Chang's

If you've ever eaten at a P.F. Changs, then you've either eaten their lettuce wraps or you ordered the wrong dish. The beef lettuce wraps are easily their most popular menu item, and for good reason, they are DELISH. However, I think this recipe has them beat. Not only can you eat this meal in your own home (instead of trying to entertain a toddler in a high chair), but the addition of crunchy, citrus-flavored veggies will leave you wondering how you ever loved the P.F. Chang wraps without them. Oh, and did I mention this might be the easiest dish I've shared yet? Yep, do this thing. And try to regret it. It's simply not possible, dear friend. I present to you....

Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. Ground Beef (1 - 1.5 lbs)
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1 Head Romaine Lettuce
• 1 BIG carrot
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/3 c chopped cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts
• 3 Tbsp. Hoisin Sauce
• 3 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
• Sriracha Sauce (if you're down with it)
• A handful or two of peanuts
• 1 Tbsp. your favorite cooking oil
• Salt & Pepper

The pieces of the most delicious puzzle you will ever make.

Directions:

Ok, don't hate me, but you have some chopping to do. A little more than I prefer, so if you need some wine for encouragement, you can pour a glass now. 

1. Red Pepper - seed, devein, and cut into strips. Garlic - Mince it. Carrot - Peel it. Then use that peeler to make a big pile of carrot ribbons by peeling and turning the carrot until you reach the core. Water Chestnuts - Drain, rinse and coarsely chop. Cilantro - chop. Lettuce - separate the leaves. PHEW! Take a sip of wine. That was intense.

Chop, chop.

Whoop, whoop!

2. Heat a Tbsp. of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and season with the hoisin and the soy sauce. If you get down with sriracha, you can add a bit of that too. Cook the beef for 7-10 minutes (or until no longer pink), breaking up the pieces as you go.
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​3. Then, because you care about your sense of smell, toss in the garlic and water chestnuts and cook for 30 seconds until your nose is singing your praises.

The Asian Flavors coming out of this pan are on fleek, y'all.

4. In a bowl, toss together the bell pepper, carrot, and cilantro with the juice from the lime. Throw in a pinch or two of salt and pepper because we are not communists.

Citrus-flavored veggies = WINNING.

5. Oh, hold up! You didn't think you'd be finished so fast did you? Just toss some of that beef in the middle of a lettuce leaf, top with the delicious veggie mixture and throw on some peanuts because CRUNCH. High fives all around, my friend, because you done made dinner for your family. ​

Well, ain't she pretty?

Her best angle - she's a 10!

Wishing you kudos in the kitchen,

McKinley