Spicy Beef Larb Lettuce Wraps

Serves	4
Prep time	10 minutes
Cook time	20 minutes
Total time	30 minutes
Meal type	Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish, Snack, Starter
Misc	Serve Hot
Occasion	Barbecue, Casual Party
Region	Thai
By author	Karen Burns-Booth

These Spicy Beef Larb Lettuce Wraps are full on flavour but low in calories, and are the perfect meal for anyone on a low calorie diet, such as the 5:2 diet, as they are only 220 calories per serving, or 5 Smart points per serving for those following the Weight Watchers diet. You can use minced turkey, chicken or pork too.

Ingredients

Calorie controlled cooking spray
fresh mint leaves, chopped
fresh coriander leaves, chopped
6 to 8 spring onions, sliced
1 hot red chilli, finely diced
1 tablespoon palm sugar or jaggery
1 tablespoon fish sauce
juice of 1 lime, plus extra lime wedges to serve
450g very lean minced beef
2 quarters of preserved lemons, very finely diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 shallot, peeled and finely diced
12 baby gem lettuce leaves

Note

These Spicy Beef Larb Lettuce Wraps are full on flavour but low in calories, and are the perfect meal for anyone on a low calorie diet, such as the 5:2 diet, as they are only 220 calories per serving, or 5 Smart points per serving for those following the Weight Watchers diet. You can use minced turkey, chicken or pork too.

Directions

Step 1	Spray a large frying pan or wok with the calorie controlled cooking spray and cook the shallot and garlic over a low heat, stirring all the time, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the diced preserved lemons and continue to cook for a further minute, before adding the minced beef.
Step 2	Cook the beef for 5 minutes, over a medium heat, until it is well browned, then add the lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar and chopped red chillies, mix well and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the spring onions. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more before adding the chopped coriander and mint leaves, mix well.
Step 3	Spoon the beef larb mixture into the baby gem lettuce leaves, and serve immediately with extra lime wedges.