Thai Meatball Lettuce Cups with Spicy Sweet Peanut Sauce Recipe

1 large shallots , peeled

1/4 cup fresh mint or cilantro (or both)

2 green onions

1 inch piece ginger , peeled

1 jalapeno or red chili (or serrano)

1 carrot , peeled and shredded

2 tbsp soy sauce (or fish sauce )

2 tbs granulated sugar

2 tbs canola oil

2 tbs cornstarch

1 tsp coarse salt

1 lb ground pork (Niman Ranch pork chops )

1 lb ground chicken (organic chicken breasts )

For Sauce:

1 cup all natural, smooth peanut butter

fresh lime juice , 1-2 limes

rice wine vinegar , to taste

1/4 cup soy sauce (or fish sauce )

granulated sugar , to taste

garlic chili paste , to taste (such as sambal olek)

hot water , to thin as desired

For serving:

2 heads butter lettuce , more of the inner leaves, separated

large cucumber , thinly sliced

julienned carrots

fresh mint (or cilantro ) sprigs