Happy Friday, nerds! Hope you all had a terrific week. I can say with certainty that Baby CWD probably had the most fun out of anyone out there, spending most of it with her Nana and Grandfather in New Hampshire, living the #CampLyfe. Hikes every morning and fresh, mountaintop wild blueberries? Doesn’t get much better!
This week’s recipe is a big milestone here — it will be our first true guest recipe! Yes folks, it’s true — I managed to convince someone else to do my job for me this week1. Of course, it is my beautiful wife, Mrs. CWD doing the writing2 — but I’m optimistic you’ll see a few more of these over the next few months3.
So, without further ado, here’s Mrs. CWD’s famous4 Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps!
I decided to step in a give Mr. CWD a much needed break from the kitchen a few nights ago. Whenever this happens, there is a combined feeling of gratitude and fear. While I am for the most part a solid cook5, my Type-A personality makes it hard for me to embrace the “wing-it” style, and when I do decide to let loose, results can be… well let’s just say mixed6. With that being said, this night was a lucky one for all of us and it turned out quite good. Mr. CWD has since been badgering me into writing the recipe out. So… here it goes!
Pour a nice glug of olive oil in a cast iron pan and turn to medium heat. Add your ground turkey (or chicken) to the cast iron once hot and start breaking the meat apart into small bits. As the meat starts to cook, douse the pan in soy sauce. You want to make sure all the meat is covered and will soak up that umami goodness. As the meat continues to cook, add in some hoisin sauce. About a fourth to a third of what you added in soy sauce. Then add some chili sauce for a nice kick. I did a spoonful… not looking to break any spiciness records here. Finally add a spoonful of honey to even things out. Mix thoroughly and cook away until the chicken/turkey is cooked fully through.
We had these on lettuce wraps. I’d recommend the Boston Bibb. So wash up that lettuce, add in the meat and sauce, maybe add some grated carrot, scallion and chopped peanuts and dig in!
So there ya go. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mrs. CWD in the comments. Not my problem!
We’re off to Portland, ME for the weekend where I’ll be doing a silly athletic endeavor, eating at Duckfat, and pounding several Holy Donuts.
One housekeeping note… if you’re so inclined, please share CWD with your friends, family, co-workers, random strangers on the street, whoever. As much as I7 like writing for an intimate group, it’s always fun to expand the circle8. You can use the widget below, I think.
Enjoy the weekend!
If Tom Sawyer taught me anything, it’s to work smarter, not harder.
I’m not going to even mention how I had prod her to send it to me this morning… so that’s why this email is coming in late today!
Ahem… Eddie… Sam…
To me.
Ed. note: She’s being humble!
One time we’ll talk about the “beer braised chicken” recipe she made… which was mostly raw chicken soaked in lukewarm beer. Not her best!
And Mrs. CWD, now!
And Substack keeps reminding me to remind you to share and subscribe. #Internetting
"Mrs." is amazing! Tried the Ground Pork Lettuce wraps tonight with sausage meat from the casings, and it was delicious. Ingredients and proportions specified by Mrs. CWD were perfect. I see why you married this woman--she can do anything!!!!
And Mrs. even got your recipe out a day early!