Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ok Lins, this is the recipe I just made that was so fast and everyone loved. (Livie just asked me if I had any leftovers of this) This recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe. In case you haven't noticed, we like a lot of her recipes. She calls this a 20 minute meal and it really was fast. It's also filling, but light and we like those kinds of meals around here. Case and I thought it would be good with some diced water chestnuts too. Case likes a little spice, so he put some Sriracha sauce on it for some kick.

Here's what you need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely diced yellow or white onion
• 1 cup finely diced (or shredded) carrots
• 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup chopped raw cashews (lightly toasted, if desired)
• Bibb or green leaf lettuce leaves for wrapping
• Chopped cucumbers and tomatoes for serving

Here's how to throw it together: 

1. In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onion and carrots. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
2. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper and add to the skillet with the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken pieces are cooked through, 4-5 minutes.
3. Stir in the soy sauce and maple syrup and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, letting the soy sauce and maple syrup bubble and simmer.
4. Stir in the cashews, cooking until they are just heated through. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
5. Serve in lettuce leaves topped with tomatoes and cucumbers (the freshness adds a delicious element to the flavors!).

Here's a link to Mel's website:
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/cashew-chicken-lettuce-wraps/

Also, I made this curry recipe tonight and most of us liked it. If you like curry then this is an easy, flavorful recipe. I like to make spicy/seasoned pork roast and serve it with coconut rice, so when I saw this recipe, the pork and coconut flavors caught my attention and I thought it would be a good mix.

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/slow-cooker-coconut-curry-pork/