So I failed to tell you the entire culinary story of Ben’s and my Vegas Vacation…
Our first night there, feeling brave after a rather large can of Sapporo, we each dove face first into a Pinks Hotdog, whose newly opened location was strategically placed right outside our hotel. A Classic Dog for him, and a Rueben Dog for her. I know.
Whatever. One bite of the snappy casing, sour ‘kraut and salty pastrami and it was lights out. When in Vegas!
The other meal I failed to mention took place late one night after returning home from sipping cocktails and shooting craps at the casinos. I had previously turned up my nose to the P.F. Chang’s located in the lobby of our hotel, preferring to dine at non-chain restaurants for all major-meals while on vacation. But as I looked at the clock, I came to realize that it certainly wasn’t a major-meal hour of the day morning, and the smell wafting from the restaurant’s open doors smelled too good to resist.
Bring on the chain restaurant – and the Lettuce Wraps – whee!
P.F.Chang’s Lettuce Wraps – I am telling you – salty, greasy, PERFECT. If you’ve ever had them, I bet you’ll agree. But sometimes they can be a little too greasy, know what I mean?
That’s why I decided to recreate.
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P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
Description
P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps copycat recipe tastes just like the restaurant's version, but are made a lot healthier, and gluten-free - at home!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken breast
- 1/2 onion, minced
- salt & pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1" knob ginger, peeled & minced
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/2 Tablespoon water
- 1/2 Tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2-8oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
- 10-12 large outer lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
Directions
- Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add chicken, onion, salt & pepper, then cook until chicken is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add garlic and ginger then continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, water, honey, chili garlic sauce and pepper. Microwave for 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Add into the skillet and stir to combine.
- Add green onions and water chestnuts into the skillet then cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions are soft and the water chestnuts are heated through.
- Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and serve with cold lettuce leaves.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I die. I die for this dish! It is FANtastic, and so much lighter than PFC’s!
Salty, crunchy and crispy – fun too! Simply pile the chicken mixture onto a lettuce leaf,
roll,
and chomp. AWESOME. The fuller you stuff ’em, the better, too. My first wrap was kind of weak sauce, so I really jammed the filling in with the others. Much better. You have to make these!
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McKayla (green groats) 04.26.2011
I’ve never had pf chang lettuce wraps, but I sure would like to try your recipe! It’s great to be able to recreate healthy versions of unhealthy recipes!
Amanda 04.26.2011
The P.F. Chang recipe looks absolutely delicious! I am going to be trying this out ASAP!
JennyV 04.26.2011
I LOVE Granite City – love love love it!
Lettuce wraps are a staple in our house — we add a lot of veggies to ours though — diced red and green pepper, mushroom (ok, so YOU can omit that! ha), shredded carrot and water chesnut (a must!) The mix includes almond or peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, lime and a bit of honey! Delish!
Martha Brown 04.26.2011
totally wrong but hooters…..oh their wings are just perfectly greasy and battered!
dmcgirl 04.26.2011
Oh that is easy!
OLIVE GARDEN!!!!
Hands down!
Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner 04.26.2011
The only sit down chain restaurant I really like is Olive Garden. I don’t like any of the ones like Ruby Tuesday, Fridays, etc. I just can’t ever find anything I like on the menu. My favorite chain restaurant in general is Boston Market. Yum!!
Rachael 04.26.2011
I’m a sucker for the chicken florentine salad at Macaroni Grille. Such a great combo of flavors. If you ever feel like lightening that one up, that would be outstanding!
Laura 04.26.2011
My hubby is WAY excited about this recipe. He is completely obsessed with P.F. Changs and his parents send us a giftcard for every.single.holiday.birthday……
Cindy 04.26.2011
I like On The Border. I go about once a month with a friend for sangria, margaritas, and Guacamole Live! It’s always so festive in there.
Shannon 04.26.2011
I LOVE the lettuce wraps at P.F. Changs, I SO need to make these. Like, right now. :)
Sarah @ The Pajama Chef 04.26.2011
looks great! though i don’t think i’ve ever considered pf chang’s lettuce wraps to be greasy… hmm but i’ve only been a couple times so who knows? can’t wait to make this for my husband anyway because he is obsessed! :)
erica 04.26.2011
PFC’s lettuce wraps are THE BEST!!! YUM!
i’m gonna have to try this! :)
now i’m going to be thinking about lettuce wraps all night!
Kim 04.26.2011
Red Lobster (cheddar biscuits are to die for) and Outback Steakhouse
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl 04.26.2011
I need to find all of these fabulous new Blue Bunny products! Wedding cake ice cream!?!? Yes, please!
Ashley 04.26.2011
I love your blog! It’s so cute. I can not wait to try the lettuce wraps. It’s also a great way to get my boyfriend to eat more veggies :) (he’s from Iowa btw). Ashley
Lauren 04.26.2011
THat new flavor of ice cream sounds amazing!! Please let me know how it is. :)
Blog is the New Black 04.26.2011
Not a big fan of chains, myself! If I had to pick one, it’d be Bertucci’s. I’m not huge on the PFC’s lettuce wraps. I prefer my own anyway. I don’t see what the big deal is about theirs? But most people disagree with me! Totally agree- I always add water chesnuts to any Asian dish for that extra crunch. The texture is unbeatable.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) 04.26.2011
I want some of that ice cream! Red velvet cake ice cream–what a great idea!!
Nicole Reyes 04.26.2011
I love PF Chang’s lettuce wraps!! AND this is post is another reason I love following your blog. You have a gift with taking the not-so-healthy (read: DELICIOUS!) things out there and making them better! I can’t wait to try it!! Oh and PS- if you haven’t tried the Red Velvet Cake ice cream- it is DELISH! It’s in my top 5 for sure! :) Happy cooking/creating!
Jenna 04.26.2011
I just read about Duff’s involvement in ice cream in the most recent Food Network Magazine. I got giddy with excitement and will be searching high and low for one of his varieties next time I’m at the store!