Recipe: Wrap It Up

by Mark Estee

Wrap this! Wrap that! It’s what you see all over these days, whether it is an Italian cannelloni, a Mexican burrito or a French crepe. Well here’s yet another delicious package for your taste buds: the cooling lettuce wrap, a staple of all Pan Asian cuisine. There is something undeniably delectable about these temperature-hot, slightly sweet, slightly spicy creations served up in crisp, fresh lettuce leaves. Thai Recipe in Incline Village is one Tahoe spot known for its lettuce wraps. The restaurant is owned and operated by La-Eard Chongolnee, a dynamo of a woman who oversees every detail of the cuisine and service.

Lettuce Wrap with Meat Thai Recipe, Incline Village

• 2 cups ground beef, chicken or pork
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup red onion julienne
• 1/2 cup minced green onion
• 1/4 cup minced mint
• 1/4 cup minced cilantro
• 1 cup chicken broth

Heat chicken broth in a pan, add the meat and simmer. Add the sauce (see below) and simmer for 3 minutes. Then remove from heat and add remaining items, stir and serve with fresh iceberg lettuce leaves. Garnish the plate with cilantro and mint leaves and serve with Sambal to spice it up as you wish.

Sauce

• 1 T lime juice
• 1 T fish sauce
• 1 T sugar

Mix and bring to boil. Chill and use in above recipe.