Thai-Style Lettuce Wraps

1 red pepper, diced finely
1 1/2 cups Napoli carrots, diced into 1/4'' cubes
6-8 brown crimini mushrooms, diced into 1/4'' cubes
1 cup Synergy snow peas, cut horizontally into 1/4'' strips
3 garlic scapes diced into circles 1/4'' thick
1 small Stuttgarter onion minced
1 large shallot minced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 lb Island Grown ground pork, optional

2 tbsp oil for frying
2 tbsp fish sauce*
4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro or mint or basil

2 lettuce heads (preferably a butter lettuce variety or trouthead for perfect lettuce-wrapping cups)

*you can find fish sauce at Market Place or Kings Market, or at the Gourmet's Galley store at 21 Spring Street in downtown Friday Harbor.

Directions:
Heat 2 tbsp oil on high heat in your pan or wok. Add in shallot and onion and fry for 10 seconds until fragrant, then add in garlic and fry another 20 seconds. Add ground pork, breaking it up with your spatula or wooden spoon. Fry for 2 minutes, or until browning, but not yet cooked.

Add in carrots and snow peas and scapes and fry another 2 minutes, stirring well. Add in mushrooms and bell pepper and fry another 2 minutes. The meat should be cooked, and everything should be well mixed.

Add in sauce and chilis, if using. Stir well to coat all ingredients. Add in chopped herbs (cilantro, mint or basil) and stir until wilted.

Serve at room temperature with washed lettuce leaves.

Ingredients all prepped to add to the pan

Stirring the meat into the sauteeing onions and shallots makes for a fragrant, well-flavored dish