Unusual Appetizer Recipe

I was asked to bring an appetizer to a shower yesterday and found a wonderful recipe in a "Fine Cooking" magazine. I changed it a bit (my family accuses me of being unable to follow a recipe as it is!) and it turned out very good. It is reminiscent of the wonderful Lettuce Wraps served by our local Chinese restaurant.

Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Cups

1/3 cup hoisin sauce
4 tsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce

4 or 5 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 head Boston or iceberg lettuce

1 meduim carrot, peeled and finely chopped
6 or 7 large leaves fresh basil finely chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts
2-3 Tbsp. snipped fresh chives

Mix first 3 ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

If necessary, pound chicken thighs to an even thickness. Place 4 Tbsp of sauce in a separate bowl and lightly brush chicken on both sides. Place over medium high heat on the barbeque and grill 5 minutes on each side or until meat is cooked through.

Let meat rest for 10 minutes. In the meantime, separate lettuce leaves and tear gently into small cups and place on serving platter.

Cut chicken thighs into a fine dice. Toss with remaining hoisin mixture. Add grated carrot, chopped basil and chopped peanuts. Mix well.

Place a tablespoon of chicken mixture on each lettuce cup and sprinkle with chopped chives.

To prepare this ahead of time, make chicken mixture and refrigerate. Just before serving spoon mixture in to lettuce cups on platter and sprinkle with chives.