Light and Sexy for Valentine's Day - Red Curry Beef Lettuce Wraps

Boston Lettuce

So, what is everyone doing today? Something special? A candle night dinner? A weekend getaway? Sweet and simple home cooked? An elaborate evening of aphrodisiac....?

Or perhaps, you are completing ignoring all the hype around you and treating it as just another day?

There has always been much debate on such celebrated days and the world has been largely split into two distinct camps - the romanticists and the realists... The former believing that one should go all out and express the "love" so much more on this day and the later arguing that the former's beguiled beliefs have led to inflation, especially of flowers!

REd Curry Beef lettuce wraps

As to me, a usually a white and black person, I tend to choose the grey path for V-Day. I can't bring myself to fault anything that furthers the spread of warm, fuzzy feelings. Even when I know that such susceptibility only lines corporate coffers even more. Ah well! Everything is so commercialised these days... what's another?!

I know there needn't be one special occasion to show love and one shouldn't restrict oneself to this day alone. I believe in celebrating love everyday, but just a little more today! :D Besides, it needn't always be expensive to do just that. A relatively simple home cooked meal can do just that. I really think that it is the effort and thought that count and not the price tag on the execution.

So... go be with your special person(s). Take the time.. tell them how they much they mean to you and how happy they make you by just being part of your life... how thankful you are for the innumerable times they have extended an helping hand, given a you a much needed hug or just made you smile when the world looked blue..

Lettuce Wrap Ingredients

As for me.. I am so glad to have a loving family who have encouraged me to reach higher, supported me through my downs and just been there even when I didn't know I needed them. I am blessed to have in my own family people to look up to for guidance, strength of character, sound advice and just unconditional TLC. THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU, even if I don't say it often enough.

To my friends... Thank you for enriching my life with your love, warmth and conversation. No weekend is complete without spending time with atleast some of you. As much as I was in oblivion to some of you, only a couple of years back, I can't, and don't dare to, imagine, how I could have survived then. To those who have stayed friends through so many years, thank you so much for sticking with me.

And, finally, especially on this medium.. Thanks so much for pushing me on with your support, comments, thoughts and patronage. There are many here that regularly read my blog and comment on every post. I cannot express in words how much you have helped me over the last three years. This blog was born out of desolation but has blossomed into my Happy Place because of all of you.. Thank You!

HUGS, LOVE and LAUGHTER to everyone.. :)))

REd Curry Beef lettuce wraps1

I leave you with a simple appetizer recipe that is quick, easy and fun at the table. Plus the garlic, ginger and spice will set just the right tone for the evening ;-)



Red Curry Beef Lettuce Wraps
(for 2)

1 head young Boston Lettuce, carefully peeled
1/2 lb ground beef/lamb
2 T red curry paste
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp minced ginger
1 tomato, diced
1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 scallion, julienned on bias
salt to taste

Saute the onions, ginger and garlic until soft. Add the red curry and saute for 2 minutes. Add the beef and cook uncovered until the meat is done.

To assemble, serve some of the spiced meat in a lettuce leaf. Let the other person, add the garnishes of choice.