These raw Asian Lettuce Cups are filled with a plant-based walnut filling. A homemade Chinese Hoisin sauce and quick vegan slaw add bold flavor and crunchy texture. The perfect recipe for when you don’t want to turn on the oven!
110-ounce bag raw shelled walnuts (about 2 ½ cups)
1tablespoontamari
2teaspoonsfresh ginger
3scallionsthinly sliced
Homemade Chinese Hoisin Sauce
½cuppitted dates100g
½teaspoonMiso paste
2tablespoonstamari
1teaspoonunseasoned rice vinegar
2teaspoonsChinese five-spice powder
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1cupswater
Yield: 1 cup
Crunchy Asian Slaw
1can water chestnutsdrained, rinsed, and sliced
1cupshredded red cabbage
1cupbroccoli slaw
3scallionsgreen tops only, thinly sliced
+ ¼ cup Hoisin
Lettuce
1head Bibb or Butter Lettucewashed and dried
¼cupfresh mint leavescleaned
Instructions
To make the Raw Asian Walnut “Meat” Filling:
In a blender, place half of the walnuts and all of the ginger. Pulse 1 or 2 times, until roughly chopped. It should resemble coarse, ground meat. Remove and repeat with the remaining walnuts. Combine both batch with the tamari and scallions. Clean out the blender.
To make the Homemade Chinese Hoisin Sauce:
Combine all ingredients in the blender: pitted dates, miso paste, tamari, rice vinegar, Chinese five-spice powder, smoked paprika, and water. Puree until smooth. The sauce should be quite thick, similar to a thick barbecue sauce. Taste and adjust as needed. If you need more salt, add more coconut aminos. For more spice, add more Chinese five spice, etc.
To make the Crunchy Asian Slaw:
In a medium bowl combine all of the slaw ingredients: water chestnuts, shredded cabbage, broccoli slaw, scallions, and Hoisin. Combine well, until everything is covered in sauce. You may need to use your hands to do this. You can add more sauce, depending on your tastes.
To assemble the PF Chang-ed Raw Walnut Asian Lettuce Cups:
Scoop out about ¼ cup of the Raw Asian Walnut Meat into a lettuce leaf. Top with a ¼ cup of the Crunchy Asian Slaw. Add a teaspoon or two of the Hoisin sauce, according to your taste. Top with fresh mint. Repeat with the remaining lettuce, walnut meat, and slaw.