RECIPE: Lettuce Wraps with Red Chili Syrup and Peanut Dipping Sauce

Two of our favorite restaurants sell different versions of Lettuce Wraps with either a red chili syrup or a spicy peanut dipping sauce. Both versions are delicious, neither of the restaurants are close by. Last summer a server at one of the restaurants gave us their recipe for Red Chili Syrup. The original recipe made about a gallon of the stuff, I scaled it down a lot to fit our needs. Add sauteed chicken to the wraps for a perfect dinner, or enjoy them with just veggies for a great snack or lunch. Either way they are crispy, refreshing, spicy and delicious!

RECIPE: Lettuce Wraps with Red Chili Syrup and Peanut Dipping Sauce

For the wraps you'll need...
1 head of Boston Bib lettuce
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced into 3" long slices
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into 3" long slices
1 red pepper sliced into 3" long slices
1 package of sprouts of any kind
(Optional: chicken sauteed in olive and sesame oils with salt, pepper and sesame seeds)

Red Chili Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1" slice of fresh ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons of ketchup
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
2 tablespoons of Hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons of Siracha Chili Sauce
1 teaspoon of sesame oil

Directions: Combine all ingredients except the sesame oil in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes, then strain the liquid through a paper towel or cheesecloth (to remove the seeds and ginger). Add the sesame oil and mix well. Will keep for a couple of months in the fridge.

Peanut Dipping Sauce
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup water

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. (This may take a minute or two, but give it time and it will come together.)

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.