Savory Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Indulge in a satisfying and flavorful twist on traditional lettuce wraps with this delightful vegetarian version! After experimenting with various ingredients and techniques, I created a recipe that beautifully blends the flavors of baked tofu, crunchy vegetables, and a tantalizing homemade sauce. The cooking sauce is inspired by the original recipe and yields enough for two batches, allowing you to save some for a quick meal later. For convenience, opt for pre-stripped bamboo shoots to save on prep time. Complete your dining experience with a spicy dipping sauce, perfect for drizzling over each wrap to add an extra zing. Whether enjoyed as a light meal or an impressive appetizer, these lettuce wraps are sure to please vegetarians and meat-lovers alike!
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
dry sherry
1 tablespoon (none)
vegetarian oyster sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
water
2 tablespoons (none)
sesame oil
1 teaspoon (mixed)
sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
cornstarch
2 teaspoons (none)
baked tofu
1 cup (diced)
peanut oil or sesame oil
2 tablespoons (mixed)
fresh minced ginger
1 teaspoon (minced)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
green onions
2 (minced)
red onion
1/4 large (minced)
bamboo shoots
4 ounces (diced)
water chestnuts
4 ounces (diced)
cellophane noodles
8 ounces (none)
rice vinegar
1 teaspoon (none)
dry mustard
1 teaspoon (none)
Chinese chili sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, dry sherry, vegetarian oyster sauce, water, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch to create the cooking sauce. Set aside.
2
For the spicy dipping sauce, mix the dry mustard with water in a small bowl until smooth. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and Chinese chili sauce, stirring until well combined. Adjust the spice level to your liking and set aside.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the diced tofu with dry sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water. Mix well and let marinate for 15 minutes.
4
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mixed oil and stir-fry the marinated tofu for 2-3 minutes, cooking until golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
5
In the same wok or skillet, add ginger, garlic, and minced onion. Stir-fry for about a minute until fragrant.
6
Add the diced bamboo shoots and water chestnuts to the skillet, stir-frying for an additional 2 minutes.
7
Return the cooked tofu to the skillet, pour in the prepared cooking sauce, and cook everything together until the sauce thickens, approximately 2 minutes.
8
Prepare the cellophane noodles according to package instructions. Drain and place on a serving platter.
9
Spoon the tofu and vegetable mixture over the cellophane noodles.
10
Serve the lettuce leaves on the side, encouraging diners to scoop the delicious filling into the lettuce and drizzle with the spicy sauce before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
3.75
Fat
15
Carbs
5
Protein
2
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein source for these Savory Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps?
The primary protein source is one cup of diced baked tofu.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
What are the ingredients for the cooking sauce?
The cooking sauce consists of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, dry sherry, vegetarian oyster sauce, water, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch.
Can I make the cooking sauce in advance?
Yes, the recipe yields enough cooking sauce for two batches, so you can save half for a quick meal later.
How long should the tofu marinate?
The diced tofu should be marinated for 15 minutes in a mixture of dry sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water.
What ingredients are in the spicy dipping sauce?
The spicy dipping sauce contains dry mustard, water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and Chinese chili sauce.
What provides the crunch in these lettuce wraps?
The crunch comes from 4 ounces of diced bamboo shoots and 4 ounces of diced water chestnuts.
How do I prepare the cellophane noodles?
Prepare the cellophane noodles according to the package instructions, then drain them and place them on a serving platter as a base for the filling.
Is this recipe suitable for an appetizer?
Yes, these lettuce wraps can be served as either a light meal or an impressive appetizer.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 3.75 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 5 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in these wraps?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does this recipe contain?
Each serving contains 2 grams of fiber.
What aromatics are used in the stir-fry?
The stir-fry uses fresh minced ginger, two garlic cloves, minced green onions, and minced red onion.
How do I thicken the cooking sauce?
The sauce thickens naturally during the final cooking stage thanks to the cornstarch included in the sauce mixture.
Which oils are recommended for stir-frying the tofu?
The recipe suggests using either peanut oil or sesame oil.
How should I prepare the mustard for the dipping sauce?
Mix the dry mustard with water in a small bowl until smooth before adding the other sauce ingredients.
How long do I cook the tofu in the wok?
Stir-fry the marinated tofu for 2-3 minutes until it becomes golden brown.
Can I save time on the preparation of the vegetables?
Yes, opting for pre-stripped bamboo shoots can significantly save on prep time.
Is this dish only for vegetarians?
While it is a vegetarian recipe, the description notes it is sure to please meat-lovers as well.
How do I serve the final dish?
Serve the tofu and vegetable mixture over cellophane noodles with lettuce leaves on the side for diners to assemble their own wraps.
What kind of chili sauce is used in the dipping sauce?
The recipe calls for Chinese chili sauce to add zing to the dipping sauce.
What is the role of the red onion in this recipe?
1/4 of a large red onion is minced and stir-fried with ginger and garlic to provide a fragrant flavor base.
How much vegetarian oyster sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of vegetarian oyster sauce for the cooking sauce.
How much sugar is in the cooking sauce?
The cooking sauce contains 1 teaspoon of sugar.
How do I adjust the spice level of the dipping sauce?
You can adjust the spice level by varying the amount of Chinese chili sauce added to the mixture.
What is the first step in preparing the filling?
The first step is to mix the cooking sauce ingredients in a bowl and set them aside.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is spooning the cooked tofu and vegetable mixture over the prepared cellophane noodles.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Associated tags include vegetarian, lettuce wraps, tofu, appetizer, healthy, spicy sauce, and Asian cuisine.