Lettuce-Wrapped Appetizers

This in Chinese is called 'song choi bao.' It's a very nice appetizer for a small party, not too big. Serve with hoisin sauce or duck sauce.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 7 mins
• Total Time: 37 mins
• Calories: 371 Calories

Ingredients

• vegetable oil for frying
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• 5 dried Chinese black mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or as needed, divided
• 2 pounds Chinese roasted Peking duck meat, chopped into cubes, or more to taste
• 5 leaves lettuce, halved lengthwise, or more as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place mushrooms and vermicelli in 2 separate bowls with lukewarm water to cover. Let soak until softened, at least 15 minutes. Drain mushrooms and chop into small cubes. Drain vermicelli.

Step 2

Heat 1 to 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add duck; cook, stirring continuously, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer duck to a bowl.

Step 3

Heat about 3 inches vegetable oil in a medium-large pot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Add vermicelli; fry until fritters are crisp and crunchy but not golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4

Pour the remaining vegetable oil into the wok over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Return duck to the wok; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Step 5

Place vermicelli fritters on a large plate; pour the duck stir-fry on top. To eat, drizzle hoisin sauce on a piece of lettuce; spoon the duck and vermicelli stir fry on top. Hold the lettuce wrap together with your fingers.