Spicy Lettuce Wraps with Even Spicier Garlic Ginger Dipping Sauce

Okay, this recipe is a little more involved that the last recipe I posted, but it is well worth the work. It looks like a lot of ingredients, but several of them are repeated, so it isn't as bad as it seems. I promise your taste buds will be tap dancing with glee.

Spicy Lettuce Wraps with Even Spicier Garlic Ginger Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:
Meat Mixture
1 lb ground pork
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs spicy sesame oil (if you can't find this at the store, you can mix regular sesame oil with chili oil)

Stir Fry Sauce
1/4 c water
1 tsp cornstarch
1/3 c soy sauce
1/4 c vinegar
1/2 Tbs oil
1/2 Tbs spicy sesame oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp ceyenne pepper
1-2 tsps chili sauce (we like SinSin Extra Hot Chili Sauce)
1/2 tsp ginger (I just use ground ginger, but I'm sure fresh minced is even tastier)

Garlic Ginger Dipping Sauce
1/4 c water
3/4 tsp cornstarch
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp spicy sesame oil
1-2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Extras:
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 head iceburg lettuce

Instructions:

1. Start with the dipping sauce, so it has time to cool. Mix together the water and cornstarch. Add mixture and all other ingredients to a large frying pan or wok. While stirring, heat over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a small serving bowl and set aside to cool to room temp.
2. In the same pan, prepare the meat mixture. Heat the oil and then add all other ingredients. Cook over med-high heat until meat is browned. Transfer to a serving bowl and set aside.
3. In the same pan, prepare stir-fry sauce by mixing together all ingredients (first dissolve cornstarch in water as for dipping sauce). Stir over med heat until slightly thickened.
   
4. Turn up the heat on stir-fry sauce and add meat mixture. Fry meat in sauce for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer back into serving dish and add green onions. Stir.
5. To serve, spoon a small portion of meat onto a chilled lettuce leaf. Wrap leaf around meat and dip in sauce.

This dish is great accompanied by fresh pineapple! The spicy and sweet complement each other very well.