Sticky quinoa and chicken meatball lettuce cups

Name: Sticky quinoa and chicken meatball lettuce cups
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (100g) quinoa; 500g chicken mince; 2 tbs finely chopped Thai basil, plus extra whole leaves to serve; 1 tbs finely grated ginger; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 slices stale wholegrain bread, very finely chopped; 2 tbs sunflower oil; 100ml kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce); 2 tbs rice wine vinegar; 2 baby cos lettuces, leaves separated; 3 cukes, thinly sliced into ribbons; 4 small red chillies, very thinly sliced on an angle; Chopped peanuts, to serve

4 ratings

Jump to recipe

by Warren Mendes

delicious. team

Jun 19, 2016

With twice the protein of other grains and all essential amino acids to keep you healthy, these tasty meatballs make the perfect mid-week dinner.

1/2 cup (100g) quinoa
500g chicken mince
2 tbs finely chopped Thai basil, plus extra whole leaves to serve
1 tbs finely grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 slices stale wholegrain bread, very finely chopped
2 tbs sunflower oil
100ml kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)
2 tbs rice wine vinegar
2 baby cos lettuces, leaves separated
3 cukes, thinly sliced into ribbons
4 small red chillies, very thinly sliced on an angle
Chopped peanuts, to serve

Method

1.

Place quinoa and 3/4 cup (185ml) water in a small pan and place over medium heat. Cover with a lid, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
2.

Spread quinoa over a baking tray and chill for 10 minutes to cool completely. Place quinoa in a bowl with chicken, basil, ginger, garlic and bread. Season, then stir to combine. Form into walnut-sized balls.
3.

Heat oil in a frypan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning, for 6-8 minutes until golden and almost cooked through. Add kecap manis, rice vinegar and 1/4 cup (60ml) water and cook, swirling pan, for a further 2-3 minutes until reduced, sticky and meatballs are cooked.
4.

Serve meatballs in lettuce cups with cukes, chilli and peanuts.