Miya's Kitchen: Lettuce Wrap Notes

I have a list for everything: groceries, to-dos, songs I like, places I want to go, quippy lines, books to read… you get the gist. Most of these lists come in a disjointed notes format – quick blurbs scribbled on post-its or the back of old receipts that float around my purse, desk, and apartment, never truly lost but frequently misplaced and typically released from the short term memory bank.

Contrary to what you might think, this method actually serves its purpose pretty well. Like finding $5 in an old jeans pocket, these notes always make my day when I find them and I usually remember what the note was referring to. From phrases like “No furniture, no wifi, just tropical storm Erica and ample reading material” to “Pioneer Dinner” they are never short of strange snippets of life.

I mention allllll of this because while my other notes fall into the aforementioned, mostly disorganized structure, my grocery lists are in a league of their own, the crowning jewel on a substandard crown. I break them down by area of the store and I try to plan for the entire week. Normally this strategy doesn’t allow me to forget things or pick up any extra cookies items that I don’t particularly need. I never accidentally walk through the pretzel aisle, unless, of course, it is accidentally on purpose. Alas, mistakes will be made and tortillas will be inadvertently left off the list so the Mexican Taco Tuesday that was planned turns into an Asian Lettuce Wrap night.

So yes, my perfectly crafted grocery list strategy failed me and I forgot to get the single most important ingredient for my tacos. The tortillas. Although I am not happy about it, we do live in a rapidly changing world where flexibility is key so when life gives you lettuce instead of tortillas, YOU MAKE LETTUCE WRAPS!! And by golly you will like them as much as your tacos! Ok, maybe not but these ones are delicious with their black pepper sauce, roasted veggies, and white rice. I may even make these by choice next time.