Thai Cauliflower Salad Lettuce Cups is a light and healthy lunch or dinner recipe!
A simple salad is made from cauliflower, bright mango and pineapple, and crunchy veggies. It is drizzled with an absolutely addicting peanut butter vinaigrette and spooned over crisp lettuce leaves. These Thai cauliflower salad lettuce cups are the perfect quick lunch, weeknight dinner, or a fun appetizer to serve even the pickiest of guests!
The one thing I miss most about living near civilization is my proximity to a great grocery store. I know. We have definitely been down this road before. I literally have to drive 45 miles to get to a decent grocery store. Don’t even get me started on Costco, Whole Foods or Trader Joes. I have to drive over 100 miles for that, and I do…once or twice a month.
I don’t understand why in a town of over 30,000 people we still do not have a good grocery store. We have one major chain, and it is TERRIBLE. I have gotten to a point where I refuse to even go there. I make Zach go instead, and he just loves it. Not. We have one department-like store that is ok if you need an ingredient in a jiffy. We do have a WONDERFUL co-op, but the co-op is what it is. They have a fantastic selection of packaged goods that you can’t get anywhere else, but their produce comes and goes with the seasons. Sometimes you just need a turnip, whether it’s in season or not!
The point to this whole venting sesh, is that I can not for the life of me find a good lettuce for lettuce cups. Romaine hearts are all fine and dandy, but let’s be honest, they easily fall apart. I would KILL for a good head of Boston or bibb lettuce, and I can’t always hop in the car and drive an hour and fifteen minutes to get a head of lettuce. Not to mention that Interstate 80 is for the most part closed during the winter. I’ve had to adapt, and adapt I have, so romaine hearts remain my favorite lettuce for lettuce cups whether I want them to or not. It’s totally worth it too, because these Thai cauliflower salad lettuce cups are the perfect dish that need to be on your tables ASAP!
Generally, when I can get my hand on a good head of Boston lettuce, I’m a big fan of lettuce cups. They are such a great way to diversify a traditional salad. This Thai cauliflower salad is perfect for spooning into lettuce cups, and I hope you get the chance to try them soon! Pair them with a brown ale, it will really compliment the cauliflower. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thai Cauliflower Salad Lettuce Cups
Servings:
6 -8Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Thai Cauliflower Lettuce Cups
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 small shallot finely diced
- 1 large red bell pepper seeded, stemmed and diced small
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded, stemmed and finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup chopped mango
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- 1 cup chopped red cabbage
- 1/2 cup chopped green cabbage
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 8 Boston bibb or romaine lettuce leaves
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, vinegar, honey, ginger paste, salt and water. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while you whisk until the vinaigrette is smooth and creamy. Add more olive oil to reach a thinner consistency if desired. Set aside.
- To the bowl of your food processor, add the cauliflower. Pulse 9-10 times until the cauliflower takes on a couscous or rice like consistency. Set aside.
- Heat the coconut oil in a deep nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes and then add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the coconut milk and the cauliflower. Toss to combine and cook until just warm, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- To a large bowl, add the mango, pineapple, red cabbage, green cabbage, cilantro, green onions, almonds and cauliflower mixture. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve the Thai cauliflower salad on Boston, bibb or romaine lettuce leaves. Drizzle with peanut butter vinaigrette and enjoy!
Notes
11 Responses
Lettuce wraps and cauli? Two of my favorite things- these look delicious. Pinning!
I hear ya about the lettuce – thankfully lettuce will be in season soon! I checked Melissa’s Produce for you but it looks like they just have butter, romaine and iceberg right now. I wonder if you check them in a few weeks if they’ll start stocking other lettuces or if you contact them? Just a thought!
This looks amazing. I would love just take a bite. Thanks for another great cauliflower idea.
I feel your pain! We used to live in a town of 20,000 people and I felt like a 1880’s settler! I love the use of cauliflower in these lettuce cups!
These look amazing. We did the living with one chain grocer thing for a few years and it was awful. If nothing else it stretches your culinary creativity. :)
I am obsessed with cauliflower right now and can’t get enough of it. I NEED to make these lettuce wraps! Loving the flavor combos!
I love love love all these delicious flavors!