Spring Rolls & Bowls with Peanut Sauce

Even in the dead of winter, you can experience a taste of spring with the fresh flavor and refreshing crunch of these spring rolls!

I have two options for enjoying this recipe: in traditional roll form or as a nourish bowl. I'll talk about the main advantages of each preparation.

In a roll: These are great as a side dish to heartier meals like curry or Pad Thai. They also make for an impressive presentation and are easy to pack up to-go for a picnic or dinner party. They may seem tricky to roll up perfectly, but once you get a few practice rolls in, the assembly goes by quickly!

In a bowl: This preparation is a more filling, hearty entree. I find that I cannot eat a ton of spring rolls at once, so this bowl is perfect for when I want an all-in-one meal. It is also much easier to prepare since the rolls can be more tricky and time-consuming than just throwing everything in a bowl. This version is also perfect if you enjoy the flavors of spring rolls, but don't particularly like the texture of rice paper.

Whichever way you prepare this recipe, I hope it brings a little brightness to your day, no matter what time of the year it may be!

RECIPE

No exact measurements for the roll ingredients, just have fun with throwing in whatever suits your taste!

1. Prepare your filling ingredients

Here are some ingredients I like to use when filling my spring rolls but feel free to deviate from this list and add whatever sounds good to you!

• Red leaf lettuce leaves

• Sliced or shaved cucumber

• Sliced avocado

• Tofu (pan-fried on the stove in sesame oil, then sliced into strips)

• Thin-sliced green onion

• Pickled veggies (like thin-shaved carrots, soaked in rice vinegar overnight)

• Shredded cabbage

• Rice or thin wheat noodles, cooked and rinsed thoroughly with cold water

• Fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, or mint leaves, chopped

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**Scroll down past the next section for Spring Bowl assembly**

2. Prepare your rice paper wraps

You can find rice paper wrappers for spring rolls at your local Asian market or general supermarket. I have seen them in both the refrigerated section next to the tofu and in the dry Asian foods section.

Get a large plate and fill it with warm water.

Right before you're ready to assemble each roll, take your wrap and dip it in the water for 5-10 seconds (each brand of wrap is different). Let excess water drip off.

You want your wrap to feel soft but to still have a lot of structure and rigidity to it when you take it out of the water. You don't want it to be so soft that it tears while you are rolling. Note that it will also continue to soften as you fill it with ingredients.

3. Fill and roll wrap

Lay your softened wrapper down flat on a surface that isn't too sticky like a cutting board.

Place your ingredients in a row from the bottom, working your way toward the middle of the wrapper. Leave the last third or so empty, and leave gaps on the sides for rolling.

Roll your wrapper, starting at the bottom, then tucking in the sides as if you're rolling any other wrap or burrito. You want to try to roll these as tightly as you can. The rice paper should have a decent amount of stretch to work with.

When you're layering the ingredients, keep in mind that whatever you lay down first will show through on the outside after you roll it up. I always try to put the prettiest-looking ingredients on the bottom when layering for aesthetics!

After rolling, I like to cut each roll in half. It gives a nicer look for presentation and makes the rolls easier to bite into.

4. Make Peanut Dipping Sauce

Peanut Sauce Recipe:

• 3 T smooth peanut butter

• 2 T soy sauce

• 2 T maple syrup

• 1 T rice vinegar (or white/apple cider vinegar)

• 1 T lime juice

• 1-2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

• A little water to thin to desired consistency

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Serve sauce in individual portion cups with a garnish of sesame seeds or finely chopped peanuts (optional).

Spring Bowl Assembly

Place all filling ingredients in a bowl in a pretty way that makes you happy. Have fun with garnishes and herbs here. Toss on some vibrant fresh herbs or some crunchy chopped peanuts. Place a lime wedge on the side for an extra burst of freshness. Add some hearty noodles or rice as a base to make this bowl extra filling and nourishing. And make sure to pour on as much of that delicious peanut sauce as your heart desires!

After eating so many warm and hearty soups, curries, and casseroles this winter, this bowl was just the thing I needed to remind me of the freshness and green of springtime! I hope you enjoy these rolls and bowls as much as I do, and have a safe and healthy January!