These tacos aren’t wrapped in tortillas, but in large leaves of Boston lettuce, also called Bibb or butter lettuce, which makes them a good option for those following a low-carb or gluten-free meal plan. Traditional taco seasonings are left behind in favor of Vietnamese ingredients, Thai chiles, rice wine vinegar, lime juice and Vietnamese fish sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground turkey
- 8 medium-size shrimp, peeled, cleaned and ground
- 1 small Thai chili, seeded, deveined and minced
- 1 tablespoon rice-wine vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 4 scallions, trimmed and minced
- 2 small garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce)
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup mint leaves
- ½ cup coriander leaves
- Salt to taste freshly ground pepper to taste
- 16 large leaves Boston lettuce, rinsed and stems removed
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
132 calories; 6 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 39 milligrams cholesterol; 742 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
Four to six servings
Preparation
- Combine the ground turkey, ground shrimp, chili, vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, minced scallion, garlic, sugar and nuoc nam in a glass or ceramic bowl. Set aside. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Add the turkey mixture and cook slowly until the mixture is cooked through, about to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large glass or ceramic bowl. Set aside to cool.
- Add the remaining lime juice, mint and coriander leaves to the turkey mixture. Mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
- Lay the lettuce leaves on a flat surface. Put a tablespoon of stuffing in the center. Fold it closed. Arrange each taco on a serving platter.
Dining and Cooking