Chinese Tacos
A friend from Thailand, visiting Jayne March and her family, prepared these lettuce rolls, which can also be made with ground chicken.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Pour about 1 inch oil into a 14-inch wok or a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat. When oil reaches 375°, add noodles in 2 equal batches, turning over once until they puff, almost immediately. Lift from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Step 2
2
In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over high heat, stir and crumble beef until small pieces. Add mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and chili flakes. Stir often until juices evaporate and mixture is lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, blend cornstarch and sherry until smooth. Add to pan and stir until mixture boils. Remove from heat and add more soy sauce to taste. Pour into a bowl. Put noodles and lettuce in separate bowls.
Step 4
4
For each portion, spoon noodles and meat mixture onto a lettuce leaf and roll up to eat.
Ingredients
Salad oil
1 ounce dried thin rice noodles (rice sticks or mai fun)
1 pound ground lean beef
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1/3 cup finely chopped canned water chestnuts
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (including tops)
About 2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons dry sherry
1 pound iceberg or butter lettuce, rinsed, crisped, and separated into leaves