Turkey Larb

I tried out a new type of cuisine a Thai dish called Turkey Larb. Don't let the name fool you it is good...nothing like lard, which it sounds like and at first I thought that was what is was called, turkey lard. It was tested and proved to be a success so I thought I would share.

Turkey Larb

Dressing
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (4-5) Limes
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 large)
2 tablespoons fish sauce*
2 tablespoons honey
Larb
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 red onion diced
3 shallots thinly sliced
1/4 cup minced lemongrass**
1 chopped thai chile stemmed and thinly sliced (serrano is one kind)
kosher salt
11/2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
freshly ground pepper
1 head butter lettuce. Leaves separated (like small heads of lettuce if you cannot find it romaine lettuce leaves work too)

Directions
Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, lemon juice, fish sauce and honey. Set aside.
Larb- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, shallots, lemongrass, chile, and salt, to taste. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the turkey and season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat and vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the dressing to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mint. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To eat just spoon turkey mixture onto lettuce leaf and eat like a wrap. To make it more filling we put rice first on the lettuce then the meat, or serve with rice on the side. I also didn't want to work with chilies I was afraid it would be too spicy for the little one so just added red bell pepper it tasted great to me.

*Here is a picture of the fish sauce. It is in the ethnic food isle and it is in a bottle like vinegar. I was a little daunted by this ingredient but you could not taste anything fishy at all.

 **When I saw this dish being demonstrated she cut up the lemongrass but once my brother made dinner for us and used lemongrass I remember it being in a tube already done!  I looked for it that way and found it in the herb section of my grocery store by the produce.

This recipe was by Giada De Laurentiis from the food network.