Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Grilled Tofu

Yield: 8 servings.

4 Garden Hearts® Iceberg Babies® lettuce
2 16-ounce packages of water-packed firm tofu, drained
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup honey
1⁄2 cup lemongrass, peeled and thinly sliced
4 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
11⁄2  tsp. chili paste with garlic
2 Tbsp. peanut oil
1 cup cilantro leaves
4 Tbsp. dry-roasted peanuts, chopped
1 cup small mint leaves
1 cup fresh basil
1 large carrot, julienned

Remove outer leaves and rinse Iceberg Babies under cold running water and allow to air-dry. Remove core and discard. Carefully separate individual leaves, starting with the center and pulling them gently out, one by one. Refrigerate until use.

Cut tofu into 12 half-inch slices. Place tofu slices between several heavy-duty paper towels. Place a cutting board on top and let the paper towels draw the moisture away for 20 to 30 minutes. (Tofu is ready when a slice is easily bendable without tearing.) Place tofu in a single layer on cookie sheet.

Combine lime juice, honey, lemongrass, soy sauce, pepper, garlic and chili paste in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook one minute, stirring well to dissolve honey. Pour mixture evenly over the tofu, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for one hour.

Prepare barbecue grill. Remove tofu from marinade and coat lightly with peanut oil, reserving the marinade. Place tofu on hot grill and cook until each side is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

Using lettuce as a wrap, place one slice of tofu onto each leaf, sprinkle with cilantro peanuts, mint, basil and julienned carrot. Wrap lettuce leaf around topping and secure with a toothpick. Serve with reserved marinade.

PHOTO: Boggiatto Produce