Hoisin Pork Lettuce Wraps

I've told you before about my family's undying devotion to the taco, and also about how we sometimes get a little bored with the traditional and like to spice it up a little.  Well, how about an Asian taco?  This fabulous recipe combines all my favorite Asian flavors in handy taco form.  The spicy kick of the meat is tempered by the fresh, fruity salsa on top, and the lettuce as a taco shell makes this just a little bit healthier than the traditional taco wrapped in a tortilla and slathered with sour cream and cheese.  Pretty much the only downfall to these wraps is how messy they are!  I left the table with sauce oozing down every digit, but licking it off was half the fun.  Don't be intimidated by some of the more exotic ingredients in this dish.  Hoisin sauce, Thai chili sauce, and sesame oil are crucial to achieving that authentic Asian flavor and you can find them in pretty much any grocery store in the Asian section.  Once you have them in your pantry you'll find yourself reaching for them time and again.

Hoisin Pork Lettuce Wraps
Prep time:10 min  Cook time:15 min
Serves 5

1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 Tbs lime juice
2 Tbs Thai chili sauce
1 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs honey
1 Tbs sesame oil
1/4 tsp ground ginger(or 1 tsp fresh)
1 Tbs oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbs minced red onion
1 lb ground pork (or pork sausage)

For the Salsa:
1 mango, cubed
1/2 cucumber, cubed
2 Tbs diced red onion
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 Tbs lime juice
Large lettuce leaves

In a small bowl whisk together the hoisin, lime juice, chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and ginger. Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and onion; saute until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
 
Add the ground pork, breaking it up with your spatula as it cooks, 8-10 minutes. Once the pork is fully cooked, drain any fat from the skillet, then return to the stove over medium-low heat. Add the sauce mixture to the ground pork, toss to fully coat. Cover and simmer for about five minutes.

Meanwhile make the salsa. In a medium bowl, add the mango, cucumber, red onion, jalapeno, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together with the lime juice and set aside.

To assemble, spoon pork mixture into lettuce leaves, top with salsa and enjoy! 

359 calories per serving.  Click here for more nutritional info and shopping list!