Spicy Asian Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced or about 3 teaspoons
• 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 1 pound ground meat (pork, turkey, bison or beef)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup catsup
• 4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, washed and chilled
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cocktail peanuts

Instructions

1. 1
   In a medium bowl, mix soy sauce, catsup, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and brown sugar. Set aside.
2. 2
   Separate lettuce leaves from head and tear into 3- to 4-inch cups.  Cut odd shapes with a round cookie or biscuit cutter.
3. 3
   Place lettuce cups in plastic bag and chill until serving time.
4. 4
   Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.
5. 5
   Add onion and sauté until it softens, about 4 minutes.
6. 6
   Add ground meat, garlic and water chestnuts. Sauté until meat is cooked through. Drain any grease.
7. 7
   Add soy sauce-catsup mixture to pan.
8. 8
   Cook until mixture has the consistency of thick sloppy joes. Remove from heat.
9. 9
   At serving time, reheat meat mixture if necessary.
10. 10
    Place lettuce cups on serving tray and fill each one with meat mixture. Garnish with chopped green onions and chopped peanuts.