Pineapple Beef Lettuce Cups

“Quick! The little man is sleeping! Go write something!”

At least that’s what the little voice in my head is telling me right now.

But it’s not telling me anything else!

Hello, writer’s block, we meet again.

How do you jump the hurdle and share a wonderful story? Help!

At least I have this great recipe to share with you, though. It’s Stir Fry Day Friday, everyone! And today’s edition is getting all dressed up in a bright lettuce cup suit. (I’d actually suggest some added bling by very finely dicing some more fresh pineapple as garnish and an extra drizzle of Sriracha to the lettuce cup!)

This recipe only serves two. In fact, it might be better off as a lunch or even an appetizer. However, you could always serve the stir fry over rice to “beef” it up for dinner.

Pineapple Beef Lettuce Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 C cubed fresh pineapple
• 1/4 C soy sauce
• 1/4 C molasses
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tbsp Sriracha
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tsp minced garlic (I used Gourmet Garden stir-in chunky garlic paste)
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (I used 1 tsp Gourmet Garden stir-in ginger paste)
• 1 lb stir-fry beef strips
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 8 leaves Bibb lettuce
• sesame seeds, for garnish

Steps:

1. Place pineapple, soy sauce, molasses, vinegar, Sriracha, ketchup, garlic, and ginger in a blender. Blend until combined. Pour into a bowl and add the beef. Place in the fridge and marinate for 1-6 hours.
2. Remove beef from the marinade. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick skillet (or wok) over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef for 3-5 minutes; do this in batches if needed so as not to over crowd the pan. Remove from skillet and cover to keep warm.
3. In the same skillet or wok saute the thinly sliced veggies until tender, season with S+P. Remove and cover to keep warm.
4. Assemble the wraps by dividing the beef and veggies among each leaf of lettuce. Garnish with sesame seeds and more Sriracha, if desired.

*This recipe is adapted from Liz at http://www.floatingkitchen.net/spicy-pineapple-beef-lettuce-wraps/*

And he’s awake. Until next time!