Every now and then, I find myself craving a dinner that’s light on carbs (ignore the crispy new potatoes HA!) but still full of flavour and this recipe absolutely hits the spot. The coconut caramel sauce is a real star: it’s delicious drizzled over chunks of white fish or stir-fried chicken, but here I’m using it with chicken mince and fresh aromatics, all piled into crisp lettuce cups for a speedy, satisfying meal. It’s gloriously good and far from boring!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
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50g caster sugar
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200g coconut milk
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15ml light soy sauce
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15ml fish sauce
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500g chicken mince
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1 red chilli
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3 cloves of garlic
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10g coriander
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2 spring onions
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2 limes
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2 tbsp crispy onions
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1 round lettuce
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Salt and vegetable oil
How to make it:
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Pop your caster sugar and 25ml water into a saucepan over medium heat. Don’t stir—just let it gently bubble away until the sugar melts and turns a deep golden caramel. Swirl the pan occasionally for even cooking.
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Carefully pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce, and fish sauce, giving everything a good mix. Let it simmer for about 7 minutes until the sauce thickens and darkens a little. Set aside.
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Finely chop the chilli and garlic. Pick the coriander leaves and chop the stalks. Slice the spring onions on the diagonal, keeping the whites and greens separate.
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Heat a wok over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add half the chicken mince and a pinch of salt, frying until lightly browned and broken up. Remove and repeat with the rest of the mince.
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Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, then toss in the chopped chilli, garlic, spring onion whites, and coriander stalks. Fry gently for about 30 seconds, then return all the chicken to the pan.
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Pour in your coconut caramel sauce and cook until it thickly coats the chicken. Squeeze in the juice of a lime and season to taste.
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Separate the lettuce leaves and place two on each plate. Spoon the chicken mixture into the centre, then top with spring onion greens and crispy onions. Serve with extra lime wedges on the side.
It’s fresh, vibrant, and so easy to pull together—perfect for those evenings when you want something a little lighter but still utterly delicious!
Let me know if you try it.
Talk soon,
B x
P.S - goes deliciously with crispy new potatoes