Szechuan Beef Lettuce Wraps with Australian Grassfed Beef

Summer is upon us and that calls for quick, “handy” meals that we can eat wherever summer takes us! Whether we’re at the beach, pool, park, or at a backyard cookout, it’s as much fun to put together handheld foods as it is to enjoy them.

Taking less than 15 minutes to prepare, these spicy and oh-so-delicious lettuce wraps come together in a flash! They’re also made with Australian grassfed ribeye, which gives them a “good for you, good for the planet” upgrade having been sustainably raised in Australia.

I love eating lettuce wraps like these in summer because that’s when my weekly meal plans get a little off track – between summer travels, visiting friends, and attending weddings, it’s nice to have some simple go-tos that you can put together without a hassle. There’s also very little clean up – yay!

For your next summer adventure, I encourage you to cook up these Szechuan Beef Lettuce Wraps with Australian Grassfed Beef! They’re sure to hit the spot and are packed with just the right amount of spicy Szechuan flavor. You can find out more about where to buy Australian grassfed beef by visiting the Where to Buy page. Pro tip: It’s as simple as a trip to your local grocery store!

Szechuan Beef Lettuce Wraps with Australian Grassfed Beef

Time: 15 Minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
Canola oil
1 ½ lb Australian grassfed ribeye steak, cut into ¼-inch strips
2 large red chilies, finely sliced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
½ tsp Szechuan pepper
1 ½ tsp kosher salt
1 cup green onions, finely sliced
1 large head iceberg lettuce, leaves separated

Directions
Heat ¼ cup canola oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Add half of the Australian grassfed beef and cook, stirring quickly for 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a plate. Drain excess fat and set aside. Repeat with the remaining half of the beef.

Wipe the wok clean and heat 2 tbsp canola oil over medium heat. Add the chilies, ginger, and garlic, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Return the beef to the wok and stir in hoisin sauce. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add Szechuan pepper and salt and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds. Finally, add green onions and stir through to combine.

Serve Australian grassfed beef by spooning over lettuce leaves. Garnish with additional Szechuan pepper and salt if desired. 

---

If you loved this recipe, you will also love my recipes for: Filipino Bistek with Aussie Grassfed Beef Tenderloin, Thai-Style Aussie Grassfed Beef Strip Steak, Grilled Aussie Grassfed Skirt Steak Salad

Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Soup

View fullsize

When you think about summer meals, I bet you don’t always include soup on your menu. Soup can actually be the perfect meal for when there are cooling patterns in the temperature that leave us hungry for a warm and comforting meal. This is what the week of 4th of July looks like here in the San Francisco Bay area.  

I love cauliflower soup because cauliflower paired with bacon is the perfect blend of comforting and fresh. They’re a dynamic duo that’ll leave you wanting more, but also feeling good about yourself - and your waistband!

I am a huge advocate for the ‘all foods fit’ mentality towards eating, but as a Registered Dietitian, some clients, especially those with glucose intolerance, need to watch their glycemic index closely. Many studies show that low-carb diets can be beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly those suffering from blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance.    

Incorporating low carb/high healthy fat meals into your diet can also greatly increase satisfaction.  Where some people go wrong with high fat diets is that they forget to include nutrient dense foods like vegetables. Cauliflower is the perfect way to add some extra nutrients without sacrificing flavor.  

Cauliflower is also a great vegetable because it is high in fiber, antioxidants, and choline. Choline is mostly made in the liver, but many Americans lack the extra choline needed from diet to help healthy brain development, muscle movement, and liver function.  

Throw this together for your next summer dinner, and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re not ‘low carbing’ it up, try pairing with a side of crusty bread.  The best is day old sourdough. YUM! 

Low Carb Loaded Cauliflower Soup

Time: 40 Minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients

10 slices thick-cut bacon
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp butter
2 large heads cauliflower, cored, cut into ½-inch florets
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 small bunch chives, roughly chopped

 
Directions

In a large unheated skillet, lay out half of the bacon slices without overcrowding too much. Cook bacon slowly over medium-low heat, flipping the bacon occasionally to allow browning on all sides. Pan-fry until crispy, about 8-12 minutes, and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining bacon. Allow to cool, and then chop into ¼-inch pieces.
 
In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir butter until melted. Add cauliflower florets and pour over broth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Allow soup to cool slightly and then add whipping cream.
 
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to reach your desired consistency, from very smooth to slightly chunky. Stir in ¾ of the bacon pieces and 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese. Adjust seasonings to taste.
 
Garnish soup with remaining bacon, cheese, and top with chives. Serve immediately!
 

---

If you loved this recipe, you will love my recipes for  Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup, Kickin’ Slow Cooker Carnitas, and Grilled Red Snapper and Clams in a Lovestuff Tomatillo Broth.  

Hearts of Palm Pasta with Sausage Ragu

View fullsize

I've often thought that a convincing low-carb pasta was almost impossible. In theory, I thought that maybe a food scientist would someday concoct something made from wonky processed food ingredients that could be believable. But pasta made out of real food that is low-carb? No way.

Palmini pasta was kind enough to send me a couple cans of their hearts of palm pasta. At only 90 calories, 18g of carbs, and 12g of fiber per can, I was skeptical. How could it be so healthy, but taste so similar to pasta?

I figured I could at least give one can of Palmini a whirl with a basic sausage ragu. To say I was impressed with the result would be an understatement.

When I opened my first can, I started snacking on the pasta right away. Luckily I didn't eat too much, so I didn't have to open up a second can to complete the recipe! I can't wait to cook up my next can soon!

Whether or not you're cooking with Palmini, this ragu is amazing and will be great with regular pasta too. Or if one person at your dinner table is living a low-carb or keto lifestyle, but you need your wheat noodles, why not make pasta two ways? Yep, now everyone's palates can be pleased!

Hearts of Palm Pasta with Sausage Ragu

Time: 35 Minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
5 bratwurst sausages (about 1 lb), casings removed
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 medium carrot, grated
2 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes (or more if desired)
1/4 cup Ruby port wine
1 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 can Palmini pasta, rinsed and drained
2/3 cups parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped

Ingredients
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add bratwurst and fennel seeds and cook until the sausage starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add grated carrot and cook until sausage is completely cooked through, about 5 more minutes. 

Add an additional tablespoon of oil to the skillet and stir in garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in port and bring to a boil and cook until the wine almost evaporates, about 1-2 minutes. Add the whole peeled tomatoes and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, until the flavors combine. Discard bay leaves.

Add Palmini pasta to the ragu and stir in parmesan and parsley until combined, about 3 minutes. Serve on plates and garnish with additional parsley and parmesan if desired.

---

If you liked this recipe, you will love my recipes for Fresh Pasta with Favas, Tomatoes, and Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Garden Greens, and Fettuccine with Guanciale and Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce!