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As a rule, the Chinese do not eat raw vegetables, and lettuce is no exception. This is a great side dish for Chinese New Year, as lettuce is considered to be a "lucky" food. Serves 4 - 6.

See Also

Chinese Vegetable Recipes

Photo Gallery of Chinese Vegetables

Chinese Recipes File

Ingredients

• 1 head iceburg lettuce
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil (such as Kadoya)

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4 to 6

Preparation

1. Wash the lettuce, drain and separate the leaves. It’s important to make sure the lettuce is dry). Cut across the leaves into pieces about 1 inch wide.
2. Combine the rice wine or dry sherry, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl, stirring. Set aside.
3. Heat a wok on medium-high heat and add oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Stir-fry until aromatic (5 - 10 seconds) and add the lettuce.

Stir-fry the lettuce, sprinkling with the salt, for 1 - 2 minutes, until the leaves begin to wilt.
4. Give the sauce a quick re-stir and swirl it into the wok. Stir-fry for 1 - 2 more minutes, until the lettuce turns dark green. Remove from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Serve immediately.