Saucy Ground Turkey Wrapped in Lettuce Leaves

Saucy Ground Turkey Wrapped in Lettuce Leaves
From Nina Simonds "A Spoonful of Ginger"

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

Seasonings:
3 1/2 tablespoons minced scallions, white part only
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

2 bunches Boston lettuce, rinsed, drained and stems trimmed
1 tablespoon canola or corn oil, divided use
2 cups canned water chestnuts, blanched in boiling water for 10 seconds, refreshed in cold water and drained
3 cups scallion greens cut into 1-inch sections

Spicy Sauce (mixed together):
5 tablespoons Chinese sweet bean paste or ground bean paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons hot chili paste

Directions:
Put the ground turkey in a bowl, add the four seasonings and mix together with your hands.

Lightly flatten the lettuce leaves with the flat side of a cleaver or knife and arrange in a basket or a bowl for serving.

Heat a wok or a heavy skillet, add half the oil, and when hot, about 30 seconds, add the turkey and stir-fry over medium-high heat, mashing and breaking it up. Cook until it changes color and separates. Drain in a colander and wipe out the pan.

Reheat the pan, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil, and when very hot add the water chestnuts and scallion greens, tossing them over high heat about 1 minute. Add the premixed spicy sauce and stir, letting it thicken. Return the cooked turkey to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Scoop the mixture onto a serving platter.

**Chefs' Notes: We found this to be a little too sweet. Next time we are going to try regular bean paste (not sweet) or use a little less sugar. It's good with rice too and soy sauce.