P. F. Chang's Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

CakeDiva's Note:

Finally -- The VEGGIE Version! After scouring the internet for the vegetarian lettuce wraps, I finally broke down and decided to tweak the ubiquitous chicken recipe and this worked out great! The cooking sauce is from the original recipe but is enough for two batches of the veggie version so make go ahead and make the full recipe and reserve half for another batch. Save in a jar and store in the fridge until needed. Another tip: when buying bamboo shoots, get the strips. This will cut down on prep time as all you have to do is dice these. I've also included a sauce for adding to the individual wraps after cooking (just like in the restaurant!) I like my sauce spicy so you may want to experiment with the ingredients for a milder version.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Cooking Sauce

• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Marinade

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 cup baked tofu , diced
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil or 2 tablespoons sesame oil , mixed
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil , mixed
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 green onions , minced
• ¼ large red onion , minced
• 4 ounces bamboo shoots , diced
• 4 ounces water chestnuts , diced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cellophane noodles
• 1 head iceberg lettuce or 1 bunch green leaf lettuce

Spicy Sauce (Optional)

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard (e.g., Coleman's)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce

Directions:

1. Mix the cooking sauce in a bowl and set aside.
2. For the spicy sauce: In small dish, mix the dry mustard and water until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. In medium bowl, combine sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water. Mix well and stir in tofu. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
4. Heat wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mixed oil and stir fry tofu for 2-3 minutes Set aside.
5. Add the ginger, garlic and onion; stir-fry for about a minute. Add bamboo shoots and water chestnuts; stir-fry for another 2 minutes Return tofu to wok/skillet. Add cooking sauce and cook until thickened (about 2 mins).
6. Place prepared cellophane noodles onto a platter. Pour tofu mixture over them and serve with lettuce and spicy sauce.

Reviews

[Chef #1532576]

I really liked this recipe. I am a vegetarian so i skipped the oyster sauce and i don't think it matters at all! I think it came out great. Next time I plan on baking the diced tofu a bit less. I put very little red onion and i am glad i did.

[Chef #1321355]

the best thing about this recipe was the spicy sauce. otherwise a very poor imitation of PF Changs. what a waste of time and effort. Way too mushy and wet - not at all like PF Changs.

[kellyb10]

It seems like it will work...however Oyster Sauce is not vegetarian as it is made with oysters!!!