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Shanghai Lettuce Wraps From The 3-2-1 Method

A lot of you have expressed wanting to include more plant based eating as part of your nutrition goals. For many of you, this doesn't necessarily mean going 100% vegan or vegetarian, but just including more plants altogether. In line with that, this recipe is not vegetarian, but likely includes a lot less meat that you would typically include and way more veggies, without sacrificing the flavor or satisfaction of the dish.
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Butter Head vegetable fresh on wood table.
Thitikorn Suksao via Getty Images
Butter Head vegetable fresh on wood table.

In celebration of the launch of The 3-2-1 Method Guided Meal Plan Program I am sharing these Shanghai Lettuce Wraps from inside the program on the blog today!

I am having so much fun seeing all of your prep photos, your fridge transformations and the excitement and enthusiasm that is going on inside the community!

The whole premise of this program, and what I try to create and share with you guys on the blog is simplifying eating well. Ultimately, limiting your time in the kitchen, without sacrificing flavor or variety so that you can love the foods you eat AND have time to enjoy the things that make your lives so full! One pan meals like this lettuce wrap filling are the ultimate for this!

This recipe is written in 3-2-1 Method format, meaning that it assumes that you have your core ingredients (veggies, protein (beef) and carb (rice) already prepped and ready to combine to give you a 10-15 minute meal. If you are not using the 3-2-1 Method prep system, see instructions at the beginning of the recipe. Even if you are not doing the full program, you can still benefit from doing some weekly prep! Choose one grain, two proteins and three different vegetables to get prepped at the beginning of the week. By combining them with different spices and ready to go items, you will have stress free, delicious meals throughout the week!

A lot of you have expressed wanting to include more plant based eating as part of your nutrition goals. For many of you, this doesn't necessarily mean going 100% vegan or vegetarian, but just including more plants altogether. In line with that, this recipe is not vegetarian, but likely includes a lot less meat that you would typically include and way more veggies, without sacrificing the flavor or satisfaction of the dish.

Mushrooms are a great addition to meat based dishes. With a similar texture and nice rich flavor, they can add to the volume of the recipe without having to increase the meat. If you are looking to increase the plant based goodness in your diet but aren't ready to give up meat, consider mushrooms your best friend! It doesn't have to be all or none! Combine more plant based ingredients into your recipes to gain the benefits and still get the flavors from your favorite foods. With added benefits of their impressive nutrient profile including Vitamin D and antioxidant selenium they will boost more than just the flavor in your dishes.

Shanghai Lettuce Wraps

2 Servings

Ingredients

- 2 tsp olive oil

- 2 small cloves garlic, mined

- 2 tsp ginger, grated or minced

- 1 cup mushrooms, finely diced

- 1 cup red pepper, roughly chopped

- 1 cup purple cabbage, roughly chopped

- 1 cup brown rice, cooked

- 10 cashews, chopped

- 6 oz ground beef (1 cup), cooked

- 1 tsp soy sauce

- 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce

- 4 pieces of romaine lettuce

Directions

**Note: If you do not have any of your ingredients prepped ahead of time, start out by:

  • Cooking your rice according to package directions (rice approx triples when cooked so 1/3 cup would produce 1 cup cooked. I would suggest cooking extra so you have it for meals later in the week!
  • Browning your beef. Add to a hot pan and allow to brown on one side before flipping or mixing. Repeat on the other side. Once browned nicely on the outsides, remove from pan and cook your vegetables. Add beef back at Step 3 as directed in the recipe:))

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, until hot. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.

2. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until slightly browned. Add peppers and cabbage and sauté an additional 3 minutes.

3. Add rice, cashews, ground beef, soy sauce and hoisin sauce and sauté until heated through.

4. If preparing this meal for 2, plate 2 pieces of the lettuce on each plate and divide the mixture. If using extra portion for leftovers, plate two pieces of the lettuce, packing the remaining two in an airtight container for tomorrow's lunch. Dish up half of the mixture onto the plate lettuce and pack remaining mixture for tomorrow's lunch. Serve and enjoy!

* Once cooled, place the other half of the ground beef mixture in an airtight container (separate from the lettuce to prevent it from wilting) to be stored in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch.

Are you in the Community yet!? Join my new FREE Eat Well Live Well Facebook Community for daily tips, recipes, and motivation. Comment on one of the posts inside to let me know what you want to learn about and I'll be sure to create some awesome content just for you! All you have to do is click on this link and hit the "Join" button. See you inside!

For more recipes and kitchen inspiration, check out www.lindsaypleskot.com or find Lindsay on Instagram here or Facebook.

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