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Lettuce Cups with Peas, Mushrooms, and Mint--Two Ways

Sunnyside Cook

Dawn Dobie
A creative vegetable side full of green freshness
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

For the carnivorous version

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 3 brown baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • 3 shitake mushrooms sliced
  • 1 cup frozen baby peas defrosted
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced green onion tops or chives
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 large outer Boston lettuce leaves

For the vegetarian version

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 3 brown baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • 3 shitake mushrooms sliced
  • 1 cup frozen baby peas defrosted
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced green onion tops or chives
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 4 large outer Boston lettuce leaves

Instructions
 

Carnivore lettuce cups

  • Using a medium to large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Sauté the pancetta, stirring frequently until it is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the shallot and sauté an additional 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the mushrooms and flip and stir until they are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the peas and stir 1 minute until they are warmed through.
  • Add the mint, green onion, and lemon juice.
  • Taste for seasonings, adding salt and pepper if desired.
  • Spoon 1/4 of mixture into each lettuce leaf and serve immediately.

Vegetarian lettuce cups

  • Using a medium to large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the shallot and sauté 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the mushrooms and flip and stir until they are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the peas and stir 1 minute to warm through.
  • Add the mint, green onion, and lemon juice.
  • Taste for seasonings, adding salt and pepper if desired.
  • Spoon 1/4 of mixture into each lettuce leaf, sprinkling with 1 tablespoon of cheese per lettuce cup, and serve immediately.

Notes

Adapted from Kristine Kidd & Karen Kaplan, Bon Appétit (May 1986)