Food is getting more and more expensive. We try to get creative with our meals in order not to brake the bank. Have you ever noticed that we always end up with left over veggies? You don’t have quite enough to make a side dish and you don’t really feel like making veggie soup (it’s Summer after all). Why not turn these veggies into spring rolls?
I said it a few times, your pantry should be your guide to what you make with what you have available in the fridge (or freezer). I always keep on hand rice paper in my pantry. You never know when these may come handy.
Now I admit, I am not able to roll a perfect spring roll.
Even though they are not perfect, it does not change the fact that they taste amazing!
I was a need of cleaning out my vegetable drawer in order to replenish with fresh produce. After finalizing my prep for the week, I was left with:
- 8 baby carrots
- 1 stick of celery
- 1/4 of a yellow pepper
- 1/2 of a orange pepper
- 2 green onions
- half of an avocado
- rice paper
I also had on hand in the freezer a left over bag of uncooked shrimps (around 8) and I had just cooked up some chicken so taking a few think slices will not affect my weekly menu! I took the time to cook the shrimps in some butter and a little garlic. I then sliced all of my veggies into thin slices.
Following the instructions on the rice paper, stack ingredients and roll away! This will make a very good, healthy meal. But wait, having these spring rolls just with soy sauce can get boring! Why not pimp your soy sauce? Also thinking that these chicken rolls would taste awesome with a peanut sauce! Why not make 2 dipping sauces?
Who doesn’t have soy sauce in their pantry? Let’s spice it up a bit!
Mix together:
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 2 tsp of sriracha sauce
- 1 tsp of honey
- green onions (the ends)
- sesame seeds (a pinch)
For the peanut sauce, mix together:
- 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 2 Tbps of Hoisin sauce
- Water (to thin out the sauce)
Serve family style, in the middle of the table and let the family dip in!
Left over vegetables (or anything else in your fridge) should not stop you from making a delicious meal. Let your mind go, be inspired, don’t be afraid to play with your food – even if your parents always said not too! We need food to survive… why not make it a fun part of life! Your body and mind will thank you… and so will your wallet!
