Raw Lettuce Wraps with Pecan-Carrot Grounds and Red Pepper Cashew Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup pecans (Soaked for 2–4 hours and drained)
• 8 sun-dried tomatoes (Rehydrated in water for 2–4 hours and drained)
• 1 cup carrots (Chopped)
• 1 tbsp leek (Chopped; onion may be substituted)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic (Minced)
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 cup cashews (Soaked for at least 1 hour and drained)
• 1 red bell pepper (Chopped)
• 0.25 cup cilantro (Gently packed)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp garlic (Minced)
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• lettuce (Butter lettuce or romaine; use enough leaves to make wraps)
• kale chips (Crushed, optional topping)
• raw seeds (Optional topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Soak the pecans in water for 2–4 hours. Drain them thoroughly before using. Rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes in water for 2–4 hours, then drain well.

2. 2

   Add the soaked, drained pecans, rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, chopped carrots, chopped leek, chili powder, paprika, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and lime juice to a food processor.

3. 3

   Pulse the mixture in the food processor until it reaches your preferred texture. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed; keep some texture so the mixture resembles taco grounds rather than a smooth purée.

4. 4

   Soak the cashews in water for at least 1 hour, then drain them thoroughly.

5. 5

   Add the soaked cashews, chopped red bell pepper, gently packed cilantro, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, nutritional yeast, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to a blender.

6. 6

   Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides or add a small amount of water only if necessary to help the blender run.

7. 7

   Separate and wash the lettuce leaves, using butter lettuce or romaine. Pat them dry so the wraps do not become watery.

8. 8

   Build the tacos by spooning the pecan-carrot grounds into the lettuce leaves and drizzling or spooning the red pepper cashew sauce over the filling.

9. 9

   Finish with crushed kale chips and/or raw seeds, then serve immediately.

Notes

This is a raw preparation; no cooking is required. Keep the fillings and sauce refrigerated in separate airtight containers and assemble the lettuce wraps just before serving. The source notes that walnuts may be used instead of pecans.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• appetizer
• raw
• vegan
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• no-cook