PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

So if you haven't ever been to PF Chang's and had their lettuce wraps, you're missing out!  We had it last night, so I thought I'd share with a you a little piece of PF Chang for your cooking enjoyment (there's a lot of this recipe floating around, so you might have a different one - this is just the one I had on hand).

• 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
  
• 1 tsp cornstarch
  
• 2 tsp dry sherry
  
• 2 tsp water
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (or ground turkey or chicken)
  
• 5 Tbsp oil
  
• 1 tsp fresh minced ginger
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 2 small dried chilies (optional)
  
• 1 (8 ounce) can bamboo shoots, minced
  
• 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, minced
  
• 1 pkg cellophane Chinese rice noodles, prepared according to package

Cooking sauce:

• 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
  
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  
• 1 Tbsp dry sherry
  
• 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
  
• 2 Tbsp water
  
• 1 tsp sesame oil
  
• 1 tsp sugar
  
• 2 tsp cornstarch

• Iceberg or bibb lettuce “cups” leaves

Cover mushrooms with boiling water, let stand 30 minutes then drain. Cut and discard woody stems. Mince mushrooms. Set aside. Mix all ingredients for cooking sauce in bowl, and set aside. In medium bowl, combine cornstarch, sherry water, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and chicken. Stir to coat chicken thoroughly. Stir in 1 tsp oil and let sit 15 minutes to marinate. Heat wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add 3 Tbsp oil, then add chicken and stir fry for about 3-4 minutes. Set aside. Add 2 Tbsp oil to pan. Add ginger, garlic, chilies (if desired), and onion; stir fry about a minute or so. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts; stir fry an additional 2 minutes. Return chicken to pan. Add mixed cooking sauce to pan. Cook until thickened and hot. Break cooked cellophane noodles into small pieces, and cover bottom of serving dish with them. Then pour chicken mixture on top of noodles. Spoon into lettuce leaf and roll.

Dipping Sauce:

• 1/2 cup water
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
  
• 2 Tbsp ketsup
  
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  
• 1 Tbsp Chinese hot mustard
  
• 1-3 tsp garlic chili paste (1 is best – be sure to buy hot chili paste no sweet)
  
• 1/8 tsp sesame oil

Dissolve sugar in water then add remaining ingredients.

Julie R.

AG, CA