Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I am going to try to post more often. I think I will stop rambling and just post the recipes and pictures. Don't worry I will ramble once in a while. Today is one of those days.

As you may have read in previous post, I have become obsessed with my local Farmer's market. Everything is so fresh, organic and inexpensive. Of course the produce is not certified organic, which at a $40,000 price tag, who can blame the good ole boys of South Georgia for not certifying their farms. I have also started purchasing my meat at Whole Foods. I know that organic is much more expensive, but remember we have to help pay for that $40,000 price tag. So,I have opted to buy All Natural Chicken, it is raised on the farm next door to the organic farm in Amish Country, PA. I ask myself, if the farmer's are raising organic chickens on one farm, what are they doing wrong on the non-organic farm....again, I'm guessing it is the price tag!!! For the last few years I have wanted to switch my house to organic or as much as I could, but I wasn't into the researching and finding out WHY I wanted to do it. We all know that it is a healthier way of eating, but WHY is it healthier. For the last few months I have been educating myself on why and then I got an email with a very interesting article. I will share the link with you and you can make your own decision.

www.shine.yahoo.com/event/loveyourbody/why-you-cant-lose-those-last-10-pounds-1964849

After reading it I have decide that I will do my best to buy organic or all natural meat, and produce. Aren't we worth the extra money? If this is something you have been on the fence about, I encourage you to educate yourself, get know your local farmer's, co-ops and grocers. They are a wealth of info, and I'm guessing they too want to get the best bang for their buck when buying organic.

Here are the recipes from last week. Enjoy and always remember to make them your own. I treat cooking like an art, a time for me to relax and be creative. You should do the same, cooking doesn't have to be hard!!

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

2-3 Chicken Breast-diced small
1 Cup Shelled Edamame-cooked in salted water
1/4 Cup Carrots-diced
1/2 Cup Squash-diced
1/2 Cup Zucchini-diced
1/2 tsp Ginger-paste
1 Tbsp Hoisin Sauce
2 tsp Szechaun Sauce
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
Squirt of Srarachi-optional
1 Green Onion-chopped(garnish)
1 Tsp Sesame Seeds(garnish)
6-8 Iceberg Lettuce Leaves

Boil a small pot of water with a handful of salt. Add edamame when water boils. Remove edamame when they start to float, about 5 minutes. Set aside. In a saute pan or wok, heat olive oil and add diced chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes and remove. Add ginger and cook for 1 minute, then add carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add in squash and zucchini, cook for 5-7 minutes. You do not want your veggies soft. Add chicken back to veggies, stir in hoisin, szechaun and soy sauces. Allow to simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and top with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve with lettuce leaves.