Sesame Tofu Lettuce Wraps

There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh and crispy lettuce wrap. The lettuce is cold and crisp, perfectly complimenting the warm and flavorful, asian filling. These Sesame Tofu Lettuce Wraps hit the spot – in flavor and texture. Eat them as an appetizer, a snack, a side dish, or a meal. High in protein, fiber and flavor they make a great addition to next weeks menu plan.

Ingredients for Sesame Tofu Lettuce Wraps:

Sesame Oil- We crisp our tofu with sesame oil, giving our tofu a bit more of an asian flavor. EVOO is a great substitute if you don’t find you have sesame oil on hand.

Tofu- Extra firm works best, and we want it pressed to drain it of liquid so it absorbs the flavors in our sauce. This is a great source of protein and the substance of our recipe.

Almond Butter- This helps add some thickness to the sauce, and gives a bit of a protein boost, making this recipe a bit more filling.

Tamari- This gives a lot of asian flavor to the sauce. Soy sauce can work as a substitute, although will give a slight different flavor.

Rice Vinegar- Adding to the asian twang, it’s going to help balance out the sauce. Rice vinegar offers health benefits (although it’s not quite as potent as apple cider vinegar in terms of health effects) such as helping to balance blood sugar.

Yellow Onion- We use onion to boost and add to the flavor of the tofu mixture.

Garlic Powder- Fresh garlic can be used instead, but for time purposes we use powdered. Garlic adds a lot of flavor to the recipe and adds more nutritional value with properties supporting inflammation, immunity, and heart health.

Ground Ginger- Fresh ginger could be substituted here, however for time purposes we just use ground ginger. A great ingredient for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Red Bell Pepper- The pepper adds vitamins, fiber, color and a bit of a crunch. We cook the peppers last and keep them a bit crunchy for texture purposes.

Lettuce- The fresh lettuce adds a crunch that makes lettuce wraps so enjoyable! You’ll want small pieces of lettuce. Boston lettuce is recommended, iceberg or romaine hearts can also be used. Keeping them small makes them much easier to eat.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsps Sesame Oil
• 6 ozs Tofu (extra firm, pressed, crumbled)
• 1 1/2 tbsps Almond Butter
• 1/4 cup Tamari (divided)
• 2 tbsps Rice Vinegar (divided)
• 1/2 Yellow Onion (medium, chopped)
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1 Red Bell Pepper (medium, chopped)
• 1/4 cup Water (optional)
• 1 head Boston Lettuce (leaves separated)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the crumbled tofu and cook, stirring occasionally, for about four to six minutes or until browned.
3. Meanwhile, In a small bowl, combine the almond butter, half of the tamari, and half of the rice vinegar. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
4. Add the onions, the remaining tamari, and the remaining rice vinegar to the pan. Cook until the onions are tender, about three to five minutes.
5. Add the garlic powder, ground ginger, and chopped peppers. Cook for an additional two minutes or until the peppers are slightly tender. Add the almond butter sauce to the pan. Stir to coat everything evenly. Add water as needed for your preferred consistency.
6. Spoon the tofu and veggie mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf and enjoy!

Notes:

• Leftovers- Best enjoyed immediately. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
• Serving Size- One serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups of tofu filling with lettuce.
• More Flavor- Use romaine lettuce leaves instead. Add fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, and/or nuts.

Health Insights:

• Heart Health- This recipe is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from sesame oil and almond butter. These healthy fats are known to support heart health by helping to lower levels of harmful cholesterol and increase beneficial cholesterol. The tofu in the recipe also provides a good source of plant-based protein, which can be beneficial for heart health.
• Bone Health- The tofu and almond butter in this recipe provide a good source of calcium, a mineral that is essential for bone health. Additionally, the recipe includes vitamin K from Boston lettuce, which plays a crucial role in bone metabolism and promoting bone health.
• Immune System- The red bell pepper and yellow onion in this recipe are excellent sources of vitamin C, a nutrient that plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system. Additionally, the garlic powder and ground ginger in the recipe have antioxidant properties that can help to boost the immune system.