Cabbage Wraps with Garlic-Peanut Sauce

If this looks like a rabbit meal, it is. My friend has to eat like one for health reasons, and so any time I happen to think of a meal that's not salad with chicken and that stays within the strictly meat and green veggie realm, I get excited and tend to cook up the meal ASAP.

Voila, Cabbage Wraps, served with Coconut Rice.

(As I type this, I can't believe I am just now blogging about about sweet, nutty Coconut Rice, pretty much the best form of white starch ever).

The serving line looked like a Thai taco bar, with more veggies and no cheese. Carrots added crunch, and the Garlicky Peanut Sauce a strong kick of spice and nuttiness.

Savoy  Cabbage looked like the prettiest wrapper to me because of its rippled texture and curly edges. It was also super sturdy, and my cabbage washing assistant discovered it can hold water, no leaks, like a cup.


If I were to make it again, I would...

• thin out the sauce with some water so it spreads its punch more evenly over the chicken.
• add another bell pepper and maybe some mushrooms and other veggies.
• double it for leftovers, and for the love of Coconut Rice.

Cabbage Wraps with Garlic-Peanut Sauce

1.5 pounds chicken breasts
Salt
Pepper
Ginger
Sesame oil (or olive oil will work)
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 head Sovoy cabbage (or whatever cup-shaped green is to your liking)
1 recipe Garlic-Peanut Sauce
Shredded carrots (I bought the pre-cut kind in a bag)
Cilantro, chopped
Soy sauce

Place chicken in a baking dish and sprinkle with seasonings. Bake according to chicken packages directions or until thoroughly cooked. Let chicken cool. Shred chicken and set aside.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and green onions. Saute until peppers are soft. Add cooked chicken. Cook until chicken is heated. Add more spices as desired.

Wash cabbage and pull off individual pieces. Set out chicken mixture, cabbage pieces, sauce, carrots,  cilantro and soy sauce for wrap assembly.

To assemble wraps, spread chicken mixture in a piece of cabbage. Add other toppings as desired.

Garlic-Peanut Sauce
Adapted from Pinch of Yum


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8 small cloves garlic
1 lime, juiced
4 tsp. low sodium soy sauce
4 tsp. olive oil
4 tsp. sugar
2 teaspoons water
1 cup peanuts

Place garlic cloves in a food processor. Process until minced. Add remaining ingredients. Process until resembles a thick crunchy peanut butter.