Friday, April 3 - Chicken (or tofu) Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast or thighs (or tofu)

• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

• 1 onion, minced

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

• 1 8 ounce can of whole water chestnuts, drained and diced

• 2 green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces

• 1 head of butter lettuce*

Directions:

1. Carefully break the lettuce leaves apart, wash and leave out to dry until ready.

2. Thoroughly combine the garlic, ginger, onion, soy sauce and red wine vinegar together in a bowl.

3. Cut up chicken (or tofu) into bite-sized piece and put in the marinade for at least 30 minutes before stir-frying.

4. Thinly slice the chestnuts.

5. Cut the green onions up into 1 inch pieces.

6. Turn the wok to high or skillet on the stove to medium high.

7. Put one tablespoon of oil in the wok and stir-fry the chicken until it is no longer pink.

*I have not heard that lettuce is unsafe, but we can not be too careful. I thought long and hard about using lettuce. When I tested this recipe, I bought a full head of lettuce, removed and discarded the outside leaves and washed the rest in cold water. I laid the individual leaves out to dry on a dry dish towel. In case you would rather not risk lettuce you might use tortillas or pita.

Grocery list

• 1 lb. of lean ground beef

• Spices - chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano and paprika

• 1 (14.5 oz) can of chicken broth

• 2 (15.5 oz) cans hominy, not drained

• 2 (14 oz) cans of corn, not drained

• 1 (16 oz) can pinto beans, not drained

• 1/2 of an 8 oz jar mild (not hot) Pace’s picante sauce

• Grated cheese

• Sour cream or yogurt

• Fresh or pickled Jalapeños (optional)

• Fresh cilantro

Equipment Needed

• A copy of theTex Mex Jumble recipe, copied and pasted into text in the font and size easiest for your child to read and follow. Recipe in next sequence

• Wok or a large skillet

• Can opener (May need adult assistance)

• Large cooking spoon

• Cutting board

• Knife to cut the cilantro and scallions (parental discretion)

• Cheese grater (parental discretion)

• Small bowls for the grated cheese, sour cream and cut up scallions.

• Optional bowl of fresh or pickled jalapeños - Let an adult handle this. Jalapeños can be hot!!!

• A table set with a plate (or bowls), napkins and silverware for everyone in the family.