Meatless Monday: Walnut Almond Lettuce Wraps

It's Meatless Monday. This wrap’s filling, a surprising combination of almonds and walnuts seasoned with savory cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and coriander, literally explodes with flavor. Creamy avocados and sweet, crunchy carrot sticks add a delicious contrast.

Go Meatless Monday is recognized by cities and countries all around the world. It's a day people unite around food.

Lettuce wraps are very easy to create with an almost endless array of ingredient variations. You can use the same ingredients that you use in burritos, tortillas, pita bread or spring rolls. They secret to great wraps is the contrast of warm, flavorful fillings with the cool crunch of lettuce.

Romaine lettuce is a variety of lettuce that grows in a tall head of sturdy leaves with firm ribs down their centers. Unlike most lettuces, it is tolerant of heat.

Coriander, an herb of the cilantro plant, is a member of the carrot and parsley family. The seeds can be used whole or ground. Whole seeds can be sprinkled over salads, or meat while it is roasting.

The ground spice is ideal for creating spicy rubs and marinades.

Cilantro leaves are often sprinkled on dishes as garnish, for salsa and guacamole.

Walnut Almond Lettuce Wraps
Serves 4

For the almond walnut filling
1 cup shelled, raw almonds
1 cup shelled, raw walnuts
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon low-sodium tamari soy sauce

To complete the Walnut Almond Lettuce Wraps:
4 large Romaine lettuce leaves
1 tomato, sliced
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks

To make the almond walnut filling:
Soak the almonds and walnuts in a small bowl with enough water to cover for 2 hours. Drain the nuts and transfer to a food processor. Pulse the nuts for about 20-30 seconds, or until they are chopped, but not yet a paste.

Season the chopped nuts with chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar and tamari. Stir to coat well.

To complete the Almond Walnut Lettuce Wraps:
Scoop about 1/2 cup of the almond walnut mixture into each lettuce leaf. Top each with a few carrot sticks and slices of tomato and avocado.

Nutritional Information (amount per serving)
Calories 512.9; Carbohydrates 22.4g; Cholesterol 0mg; Fat 45.2g; Sodium 307mg; Sugars 5.6g; Protein 5.6g

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about half your calories should come from carbohydrates, typically about 250 grams (g). For example, a person who eats approximately 2,000 calories per day should take in about 250 grams of carbohydrates (2,000 divided by half equals 1,000 -- and 1,000 calories divided by 4 grams = 250 grams). A teaspoon of sugar is 4 grams.

Carbs and diabetes: People with diabetes must always focus on carbohydrates. Depending on individual health challenges, reliable sources indicate that most people with diabetes should not consume more than about 130 grams of carbohydrate each day.

* Sources: Meatless Monday Recipe