"It's too hot to cook" Lettuce Wraps!

Published: Thu, 07/13/17

July 13, 2017

Hello there, Slow Cookerers!!

IT IS HOT. I know.

The other day the car temperature gauge said 112 when we were driving through the Valley.

and daily I'm getting emails from readers who say that the only way they will cook right now is with their crockpot -- because the thing is


the slow cooker doesn't heat up the kitchen the way the stove or the oven does, which makes it IDEAL to use during the warmer months.

Feel free to plug it in on a screened-in porch, on the back deck, etc -- as long as you have an outlet, you can cook!

Today, let's make some Lettuce Wraps. This recipe is a great light, healthy dinner.

I love how the chicken is seasoned with sesame oil and soy sauce, which really offsets the sweetness from the mango.

If chicken and mango aren't your thing -- you can certainly use a lettuce-wrap idea for many standard slow cooker meals, like barbecued pulled pork.

:-)


Slow Cooker Mango Lettuce Wraps


serves 4, can easily be doubled or tripled in 6-quart

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 (10 ounce) jar all natural mango or apricot-orange jam
3 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon prepared chili paste
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, seeded, and diced
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/2 red onion, peeled and diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 jalapeño peppers, left whole (do not cut)

Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
2 mangos, peeled and chopped, for serving
2 limes, for serving
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for serving (optional)

Directions.

Use a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Place the chicken into your cooker insert and add the jam, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and chili paste.
Stir to distribute the sauce evenly onto the chicken. Add the ginger, cucumber, onion, salt, and pepper. Stir gently.
Toss the whole jalapeño peppers on top.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
The meat is finished when it pulls apart easily with two large forks.
Discard the peppers and serve the shredded chicken in large romaine lettuce leaves with chopped mango, a squeeze of lime, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
The Verdict.
There's a bit of a kick, here, because of the jalapeño peppers --- it's a fun and fresh dinner idea on these hot summer nights.
If you'd like, instead of using the large Romaine lettuce wraps for serving, you can place the cooked chicken on top of shredded cabbage (cole slaw) or rice.
enjoy!  happy slow cooking! -- steph
Do you have any favorite ways to use your slow cookers in super hot weather?
HEY STEPH, where can I find ALL of the recipes listed on the site so I can bookmark them to find later?