Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Asian Raspberry Lettuce Wraps with Tempeh and Sautéed Veggies

This was a thrown together dinner from things in the refrigerator that needed to be eaten before they rotted. This actually turned out very flavorful, I always seem to lean towards Asian cuisine but the addition of the Raspberry flavoring gave it a special kick. Make lettuce wraps as opposed to rice paper or tortillas was also a nice change of scenery.

Ingredients:

Lettuce Wraps:
  • 1 pkg Organic Tempeh, crumbled
  • 2 Tbs Teriyaki Marinade
  • 2 Tbs Honey Ginger Marinade
  • 1 Tbs Raspberry Flavoring Mix (liquid)
  • 2 Tbs EVOO
  • 1 Tbs Oyster sauce
  • 2 Tbs Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tbs garlic
  • 1/2 head Boston Lettuce
  • Optional condiments: low fat sour cream, 2% milk cheese, srirachi and peanut sauce

Sautéed potatoes, onions and carrots:
  • 4 Russet potatoes, chopped into medium size chunks
  • 1 Carrot, skinned and julienned
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas
  • 1/2 Red Onion, small dice
  • 1 Tbs Lemon Pepper
  • 1 Tbs Whole Butter
  • 2 Tbs EVOO
  • 1 Tbs Garlic
  • TT Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Wraps: Heat oil and garlic in sauté pan over medium-heat until you can smell the garlic. Add the tempeh, marinades, oyster sauce, and soy sauce while continuing to stir. Cook for ~7-10 minutes then add the raspberry liquid.

Veggies: Heat oil and garlic again in sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté potatoes for 15 minutes or until almost cooked. Add onions, sugar snap and carrots and continue stirring until they are tender. Add salt, pepper and lemon pepper at the end.

Making the wraps: Peel a large leaf of Boston Lettuce off and place a line of tempeh in the middle. Top with some of the sautéed veggies. You can add cheese, sour cream, srirachi or peanut sauce - depending on your personal preference. Roll the lettuce wraps tightly. We also ate the rest of the veggies on the side since they all wouldn't fit in the wraps!


Note--> I also made some frozen biscuits in the oven quickly because the boys were craving them.


Guy's Flank Steak

(This is a family secret recipe so I am blessed to have received it)

Ingredients:
  • Flank cut steak
  • Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade & sauce (Pour till steak is fully soaked in zip lock)
  • McCormick grill mates: Montreal Steak seasoning
  • Green onion (minced)
  • Blue cheese or Feta

Directions:
Put all ingredients into a zip lock bag and leave in fridge for at least 5 hours.

Make sure the steak is constantly soaking in the marinade (so you may need to flip the bag every other hour).

Grill until medium well and top with blue cheese or feta.

Wrap with tin foil and let sit for 5 minutes until serving.

Reptile Triage

Gracie has injured yet another garter snake in the front yard (same exact place too - odd?)
The last one I tried to save died 2 days ago. Didn't know if it was too much of an injury to heal from or I didn't use liquid bandage... who knows

This one seems to be doing fairly better. He is more active than the last (poor snake was in shock)
I think he has eaten a a couple mini mealworms - hasn't eaten goldfish in bowl yet. Put some rocks under his heating lamp to help heat them up so he can lounge on those. Also dampened a washcloth to put under heat lamp to create a delicious moist environment for him to slither around in. I grabbed a quite generous portion of an overgrown shrub in our yard and he likes to shrivel around in that.

Ryan and I are on way to store to purchase a cheap aquarium and some feeder goldfish. Hopefully they will live more than 24 hours. Going to get some newspaper as well to shred for a deeper substrate for him to wiggle through.

Here's a couple pics of the darling: