Thai lettuce cups with basil
Spicy, savory, and filled with rich flavors, Thai lettuce cups are perfect as an appetizer or main on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
- 2 shallots medium, thinly sliced
- 1 cup texturized vegetable protein (225)
- 1 handful basil leaves (fresh)
- 1 cucumbers English or 2 Persian cucumbers
- 1 tomatoes large, ripe, heirloon
- 3 tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos (or tamari) (reduce to 1.5 tbsp for lower-sodium version)
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemongrass (fresh) minced, tender inner white part only
- 1 tbsp dark toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp fish sauce (reduce to 1 tsp for lower-sodium version)
- 2 tsp curry paste (Thai red) such as sambal oolek
- 6-8 butter lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice the shallots, then add to ice water to soak while you work.
- Heat 1 C. (250 ml) filtered water to almost boiling, then add the TVP and stir. Set aside. See notes below if using mushrooms.
- Wash and spin dry the basil leaves.
- Wash the cucumber, nip off the ends, and slice lengthwise. Use a grapefruit spoon or teaspoon to scoop out the seeds. Cut into quarters lengthwise, then finely slice. Put in a colander and lightly salt, allowing it to drain in the sink.
- Wash and quarter the tomato, removing the seeds and goo. Finely chop. Salt lightly in a colander and allow to drain.
- Add the last 6 ingredients (soy sauce through chile paste) to a blender and whiz until the lemongrass is pureed.
- Heat 1 T. (15 ml) grapeseed or other light oil in a cast-iron or nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the rehydrated TVP and enough of the dressing from the blender to season it. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned.
- Taste. If it isn't seasoned enough, add a bit more of the dressing. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Drain the shallots and pat dry. Pat dry the tomatoes and cucumbers. Combine the cooked TVP with the shallots, tomatoes, and cucumbers in a large bowl and mix well. Add a little more dressing if needed, but keep the mixture as dry as possible.
- Serve in butter lettuce leaves with a few leaves of basil.
Notes
Per serving (4 as a main):
132 calories
4 g fat
1 g cholesterol
970 mg sodium (372 mg sodium with fish sauce and Bragg's halved)
232 mg potassium
10 g carbohydrate
6 g fiber
6 g sugars
12 g protein
3 Weight Watchers Points PlusMake sure you choose organic non-GMO soy TVP. If you can't eat soy, use shiitake mushroom caps. Remove the stems and compost them. Wipe the caps clean with a damp towel. Mince finely. Cook as directed above in place of the TVP. Required FTC disclosure: I am part of the Cooking Light Bloggers' Connection. I was not paid to write this post.
132 calories
4 g fat
1 g cholesterol
970 mg sodium (372 mg sodium with fish sauce and Bragg's halved)
232 mg potassium
10 g carbohydrate
6 g fiber
6 g sugars
12 g protein
3 Weight Watchers Points PlusMake sure you choose organic non-GMO soy TVP. If you can't eat soy, use shiitake mushroom caps. Remove the stems and compost them. Wipe the caps clean with a damp towel. Mince finely. Cook as directed above in place of the TVP. Required FTC disclosure: I am part of the Cooking Light Bloggers' Connection. I was not paid to write this post.