Asian Style Lettuce Wraps

Here's a healthy option when you get a huge head of lettuce at the farmers market, and you're looking for something tasty other than salad.  This recipe is pretty quick to whip up, if you skip the marinating of the chicken.  Our family used chicken here, but you can sub tofu for a vegetarian dish as well.

Ingredients:
1-1 1/2 lbs diced chicken (you can use breasts or boneless thighs)
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons cornstarch (divided)
2 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry (divided)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
4 tablespoons peanut oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 scallions (2 minced and 2 cut into 1-inch pieces)
salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 lb mushrooms, stemmed and diced
12-14 large lettuce leaves.  (Bib or Butter lettuce is preferred)
Soy sauce, chili paste for serving

Instructions:  (total time about 1 hour with marinating step)
Prepare the chicken: Wisk the egg white with 1 tablespoon rice wine and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl.  Add the chicken and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

While the chicken is chilling, make the sauce:  Wisk 1/3 cup water, the oyster,  hoisin and soy sauces, 1 tablespoon rice wine, and the sesame oil in a bowl or small mason jar.  Then add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, mix until dissolved.

Make the stir-fry:  Heat 2 tablespoons of peanut oil (you can sub vegetable oil in a pinch, but the peanut oil will give it a nice flavor) in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add the chicken and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes or until cooked.  Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place on a plate.  Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut oil, then stir in the garlic, ginger, and minced scallions.  Add the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir-fry for 30 seconds.  Then add the mushrooms and scallion pieces and stir-fry for about 2 more minutes.  Return the chicken to the pan and then add the sauce.  Cook for 1 minute.  

Serve with lettuce for wraps.  Enjoy!
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