Japanese lettuce wraps nikomisu

A perfect snack with a cold beer. By Ella Walker

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

1. Heat the oils in a frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat. Add the onion and ginger and saute for about eight to 10 minutes until the onion begins to brown. Add the minced pork and garlic, increase the heat to high, and break up the pork into small crumbles. When the pork is cooked through, add the miso and mix through. Keep cooking for about five minutes so the pork and miso begin to brown.

Step 2

2. Add the mirin, sake, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame seeds and vinegar, if using, and cook for another five minutes or so until the liquid has reduced to a very thick gravy and the mixture is dense and rich.

Step 3

3. Transfer to a bowl and serve beside the lettuce leaves. Spoon the mixture into the leaves and wrap them up, eating them with your hands, along with a little shichimi, if you like.