It is the peak of the coronavirus isolation here at home. My body was trying to tell me to eat something fresh. I answered that call with a masked trip to the grocery store and made these Lettuce Cups. It was so good my nose got a little runny and I felt so amazing afterward I needed a period of reflection/digestion.

Ingredients:
For the sauce:
4 oz. hoisin sauce
1 oz. oyster sauce
1 T. mirin
1 T. chili garlic sauce or sriracha

For the cucumber salad:
1 cucumber, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced on a mandolin
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 t. honey
1 t. grated fresh ginger
1 t. sesame oil
1 t. chili garlic sauce
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1/4 t. black pepper

For the filling:
1 T. canola oil
1 pound ground chicken (or pork)
1/2 cup chopped bamboo shoots
1/2 c. chopped water chestnuts
1 cup chopped button mushrooms (optional)
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 t. grated fresh ginger

Toppings:
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 thinly sliced red onion
crunchy wonton noodles

1 head of bibb lettuce, cored, rinsed, and spun dry

Directions:
1. Core, rinse, and spin dry your head of lettuce. Bibb is best, but iceberg or butter lettuce is also good to use.
2.  Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
3. Stir together the ingredients for the cucumber salad and set aside in the fridge to marinate and chill. *Don’t forget to take this topping back out of the fridge — it’s the best part!
4. Prepare the side toppings in individual bowls and set aside.
5. In a skillet over medium high heat, heat oil and cook the chicken (or pork), breaking up into smaller pieces.
6. Add the chopped bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and (optional) mushrooms. Cook until liquids are nearly evaporated. Add in the fresh ginger and cook until fragrant. Add a large spoonful of the sauce made in Step 2 and stir until heated through. Top with teh scallions before serving.
7. Serve by piling layers of bibb lettuce, chicken, sauce, and toppings. Enjoy!