San Choy Bow
Delicious Chinese Lettuce Wraps filled with savory pork, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful sauce, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1 1/4 tsp cornflour/cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water (separated)
- 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce Note 1
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce Note 1
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine or substitute with Mirin or dry sherry, Note 2
- 1 tsp white sugar optional
For the Filling
- 1 tbsp peanut oil
- 1 clove large garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp ginger (minced)
- 300 g pork mince (ground pork) Note 3
- 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 small carrot (finely chopped)
- 100 g canned water chestnuts (drained and finely chopped) Note 4
- 5 pieces baby corn (canned or fresh, finely chopped) Note 4
- 5 pieces mushrooms (finely chopped; shiitake is best)
- 8 leaves large or 16 – 20 small lettuce leaves, preferably soft Note 5
- Crushed peanuts, for garnish
- Finely sliced scallions/shallots, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, mix cornflour with 1 tbsp of water until lump-free. Then add the remaining sauce ingredients—light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, Chinese cooking wine, and sugar (if using). Mix well and set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat peanut oil over high heat. When hot, add minced garlic and ginger, quickly stir for around 30 seconds until fragrant, then toss in the chopped onion. Let it sizzle for about 1 minute.
Cooking
- Add the pork mince to the pan. Stir and cook until it turns white, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Next, toss in the finely chopped carrot, water chestnuts, baby corn, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the carrot is softened and all ingredients are cooked through.
- Pour in the sauce you've prepared earlier and cook for 1.5 minutes or until it thickens to a glossy finish, coating the filling beautifully.
Serving
- Transfer your filling into a serving bowl. Arrange the lettuce leaves, crushed peanuts, and scallions on the side. To enjoy, spoon some filling into a lettuce leaf, top with peanuts and scallions, wrap it up, and dig in!
Notes
Always use fresh vegetables for the best flavor. You can prepare the filling in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you have leftovers, store the filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, but the lettuce leaves are best enjoyed fresh.