Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)

Ingredients

• 1/2 red onion (, cut into 4 wedges then finely sliced)
• 1 lb / 500g chicken mince ((ground chicken) OR pork)
• 2 garlic cloves (, large, minced)
• 6 - 8 small to medium lettuce leaves (I used baby cos / romaine) (Note 3)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger (, grated or very finely chopped)
• 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch (OR 2 tbsp uncooked rice (any rice is fine) (Note 1))
• 2 Thai or birds eye chilli (, deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste))
• Extra lime wedges, chilli
• 1/3 cup coriander/cilantro leaves (, plus extra to garnish)
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/3 cup mint leaves (, plus extra to garnish)
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 lemon grass stalk (, white and very pale green part only, finely chopped (Note 2))
• 2 1/2 tbsp lime juice (1 to 2 limes)
• 3 tbsp crushed peanuts (optional)
• 2 tbsp peanut oil (or other high smoke point cooking oil)
• 3 tbsp water

Preparation

1. 1

   Step 1

   Sauce: Place water and cornflour OR rice powder into a small bowl. Mix into a slurry. Add lime juice, fish sauce and sugar and mix to combine. Set aside.
2. 2

   Step 2

   Heat peanut oil in a wok (or heavy based fry pan) over medium high heat. Add ginger, garlic, lemongrass and chilli and sauté for 45 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn, it will taste bitter.
3. 3

   Step 3

   Add the chicken and turn up the heat to high. Cook the chicken, breaking up the mince into small pieces.
4. 4

   Step 4

   Once the chicken turns white and is almost cooked through (about 3 to 4 minutes), add Sauce. Cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute to coat the chicken and for the sauce to thicken.
5. 5

   Step 5

   Remove wok from heat. Stir through onion, coriander/cilantro and mint.
6. 6

   Step 6

   Spoon filling into a bowl, and serve with lettuce, peanuts, extra herbs and lime wedges on the side - leave everyone to make their own. Spoon filling into lettuce cups and garnish with what you want!
7. 7

   Step 7

   Sauce option: Take it over the top by serving with Thai Peanut Satay Sauce, as pictured in the first photo in post! It's extra amazing (though not traditional!)

8. Bon appetit!