Asian Beef in Lettuce Cups

This is a tasty, healthy weeknight meal.  It’s quick and easy as well as inexpensive.  I know it seems like a lot of ingredients, but if you like to cook Asian food you probably have most of this in your pantry already.  Another one of my ploys to get my kids to eat more lettuce…

• 1 t. vegetable oil
• 1/2 C. diced onion
• 1 lb. ground beef (or chicken, or pork, or turkey…)
• 1 C. shredded red cabbage
• 1 T. sesame oil
• 1/8 C. rice vinegar
• 1 T. freshly grated ginger
• 1/8 C. soy sauce
• 1 T. fish sauce
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 t. cornstarch
• 1 small head of butter lettuce, iceberg, or romaine
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1/4 C. peanuts, chopped
• 1/2 C. cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 C. diced, fresh pineapple

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion, ground beef, and cabbage and cook until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes.  Meanwhile whisk together the sesame oil, vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and cornstarch.  Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and stir to coat.  Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.  Serve by spooning the meat into lettuce leaves.  Serve the jalapeno, peanuts, cilantro, and pineapple in separate bowls so everyone can build their own.

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