By Jade Greenhalgh, AKA @jadesbites. Porky Whites Surrey Sausages are broken down into mince and cooked with fragrant garlic, ginger, soy, a dash of honey, and crunchy peanuts for a sweet, spicy, slightly naughty Kung Pao-style filling. This one ticks all the flavour and texture boxes. Served in crisp lettuce cups for a fresh, punchy, lighter recipe that’s full of flavour and great for sharing. This recipe also showcases the versatility of the sausage beyond the usual dishes. Sticky, savoury and lightly sweet, these Chinese-inspired lettuce cups are made with Porky Whites Surrey Sausages spiked with a hit of five spice seasoning and crunchy peanuts, all spooned into crisp, ice-cold lettuce leaves. This is perfect for sharing and an easy, speedy dinner.
- Trim the base from each Little Gem and carefully separate the leaves. Place them into a bowl of ice-cold water to wash and crisp up while you prepare the filling
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Remove the skins from the Porky Whites sausages and add the sausage meat to the pan.
- Fry, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until well browned and finely textured.
- Add the grated ginger and garlic to the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the Chinese five spice and cook briefly to toast the spices.
- Once the sausage mixture is golden and cooked through, add the soy sauce and honey. Stir well so everything is evenly coated and glossy.
- Turn off the heat and stir through the chopped peanuts. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Drain the lettuce leaves well and spin or pat dry so they’re crisp and ready to fill.
- Arrange the lettuce cups on a platter. Spoon the warm Kung Pao-style sausage mixture into each leaf.
- Finish with spring onions, chilli (ifusing), red pepper, extra peanuts and sesame seeds.
- Serve 3–4 lettuce cups per person as a main meal, letting everyone build their own at the table.
4 little gem lettuce, leaves picked
2 x 400g packs Porky Whites Sausages
4–6 garlic cloves, finely grated or crushed
2 inches fresh ginger, finely grated
2 tsp Chinese five spice
2 tbsp light soy sauce
4 tbsp honey
4 tbsp peanuts, chopped
Optional toppings
Chopped spring onions
Finely chopped fresh chilli (to taste)
Finely sliced red pepper
Extra crushed peanuts
Sesame seeds
