Lemongrass infuses both the chicken stir-fry and hoisin dipping sauce with fabulous citrus flavor.
One of the reasons I love cooking so much is that food transports you to different countries. From the comfort of your home, you can taste flavors from around the world and explore different cultures. These Lemongrass Chile Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a Thai-inspired recipe.
With a subtle citrus flavor, lemongrass is from the Philippines and is commonly used in Asian cooking, especially Thai cuisine. The first time I cooked with lemongrass was a few years ago when I made Pineapple Fried Rice. Lemongrass can be fresh, dried or powder. (I prefer fresh, but that’s not always readily available.) When shopping for fresh lemongrass, look for firm stalks and use the bottom four inches.
In the recipe for Lemongrass Chile Chicken Lettuce Wraps, the chicken is quickly stir-fried and then served on a leaf of romaine and topped with a lemongrass hoisin sauce. A favorite in my household, the sauce also makes a delicious barbecue sauce for chicken or pork.
A popular restaurant chain introduced many of us to the concept of lettuce wraps. They are light, flavorful and easy to make at home. Plus, they’re an excellent alternative for those on gluten-free diets.
You can serve the chicken in a bowl and let people build their own lettuce wraps or serve them already prepared as an appetizer at a party. You could also serve the chicken mixture over a bowl of rice with vegetables.
