Salad of Lettuce Boats with Minced meat

I am in salad mode. I’ve been like that over the last two weeks. Luckily I have come across some pretty amazing ones. Most of them pretty simple, straight forward…and terribly delicious. This one here could not be simpler and nevertherless more scrumptious to my eyes. Lovely for a yummy and informal meal. Just grab the lettuce boats with your fingers if you feel like it. Don’t take me wrong, I love the whole table setting and all. However I equally take pleasure out of eating without ceremony sometimes. Just for the pleasure of the food.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 red birdseye chillies, finely chopped

375g beef mince

Tablespoon of Thai fish sauce

4 spring onions, dark green bits removed, finely chopped

Zest and juice of 1 lime

3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

1-2 iceberg lettuces or romaine lettuce hearts

I like buying my meat and mincing it at home. I just chuck it in the food processor. I heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat and then chuck the chillies in there. They have to be minded so that they don’t burn so please think of them as babies who are somehow frail and that need your attention. Turn the heat up, throw the minced meat in the pan and use a wooden spoon to separate the mince. Cook for around 4 minutes – until you cannot see any pink meat. Add the fish sauce and mix it until it evaporates. Remove it from the heat. Put the spring onions, coriander, zest and juice of lime in together with the meat and mix well.

Take each lettuce leaf and arrange the minced meat on it. They will look like little boats, carrying their load. Grab each boat with your fingers and enjoy this lovely treat. I enjoyed every single one of mine.