The Best Part is the Sauce
Let’s start with the peanut sauce. It is the heart of this bowl. You just mix everything in a blender. It becomes smooth and creamy.
I love the smell of peanut butter and garlic together. It reminds me of a street food stall I once visited. The sauce makes everything come alive in your mouth.
A Rainbow in Your Bowl
Now for the fun part. Chop all your colorful vegetables. You get bright orange carrots and red bell peppers. Don’t forget the green cucumber and avocado.
All these colors are not just pretty. They make the food good for your whole body. Each color gives you different vitamins. That is why this matters for your health.
A Little Story About Herbs
You need to chop fresh mint, basil, and cilantro. I know some people do not like cilantro. It tastes like soap to them!
My grandson once made a funny face eating it. I still laugh at that. If you do not like one herb, just use the others. Cooking should make you happy.
Putting It All Together
First, cook your noodles and toss them with the sauces. Then, build your bowl like a tower. Start with noodles and pile everything on top.
This is where you can be an artist. Make your bowl beautiful. What is your favorite thing to put on top? I always add extra mango for a sweet surprise.
Why We Eat With Our Eyes
A pretty plate of food just tastes better. This is a little secret I learned long ago. When food looks joyful, it makes you feel joyful before you even take a bite.
That is why this matters. Taking a moment to make your food look nice is a gift to yourself. It turns a simple meal into something special.
A Fun Fact For You
Here is a fun fact for your day. The rice noodles in this bowl are sometimes called “rice sticks”. They are made from just rice and water. Isn’t that simple?
They cook very fast, so watch them closely. Have you ever cooked with rice noodles before? Did they turn out perfectly for you?
Your Kitchen, Your Rules
This recipe is like a friendly guide. But you are the boss in your kitchen. Do you want to add shrimp or keep it simple with just veggies? The choice is yours.
That is the best part of cooking. You make it just how you like it. What is one food you would love to add to this bowl? I would love to hear your ideas.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| creamy peanut butter | 1/2 cup | For Peanut Sauce |
| hoisin sauce | 2 Tablespoons | For Peanut Sauce |
| low-sodium soy sauce | 1/4 cup | For Peanut Sauce |
| garlic, minced | 2 teaspoons | For Peanut Sauce |
| Sriracha hot sauce | 2 teaspoons | For Peanut Sauce |
| rice wine vinegar | 2 Tablespoons | For Peanut Sauce |
| warm water | 3-4 Tablespoons | For Peanut Sauce, or more as needed to thin |
| dry rice noodles | 14 ounces | |
| fresh basil, chopped | 1/2 cup | |
| fresh mint leaves, chopped | 1/2 cup | |
| fresh cilantro, chopped | 1/2 cup | |
| serrano peppers, chopped | 2 | seeds and veins removed |
| dry roasted peanuts, chopped | 2/3 cup | |
| avocado | 1 | peeled and thinly sliced |
| carrot | 1 large | shredded |
| bell pepper | 1 | red or orange, chopped |
| English cucumber | 1 | sliced |
| mango | 1 | peeled and sliced into chunks |
| sweet chili sauce | 1/2 cup | or more, to taste |
| Protein of choice | 2 cups | cooked chicken, shrimp or crispy tofu, optional |
My Spring Roll Bowl Adventure
I love a good kitchen adventure. This bowl is like all the best parts of a spring roll, but without the fussy rolling. It’s fresh, colorful, and so much fun to put together. My grandkids call it “confetti in a bowl.” Doesn’t that sound delightful?
First, we make the magic sauce. It’s the heart of the whole dish. Just put everything for the peanut sauce into a food processor. Let it whir until it’s smooth and creamy. I still laugh at the time I used chunky peanut butter by mistake. It gave the sauce a fun little crunch!
- Make your peanut sauce first. Add all the sauce ingredients to a food processor. Blend it until it looks smooth and dreamy. If it seems too thick, add a splash of warm water. This makes it perfect for drizzling later.
- Now, let’s get chopping. Wash all your fresh herbs and veggies. Chop the basil, mint, and cilantro together. Their smells mixed together is just heavenly. Then slice your cucumber, bell pepper, and mango. (A hard-learned tip: remove the seeds from the serrano pepper unless you like a real fiery kick!)
- Cook your rice noodles just like the package says. They cook very fast, so watch them. Drain them well and put them in a big bowl. While they’re still warm, toss them with a little sweet chili and peanut sauce. This makes them so tasty.
- Time to build your beautiful bowl. Start with a nest of noodles at the bottom. Then, artfully arrange your toppings over them. I love making little piles of each color. What’s your favorite colorful veggie to add? Share below! Finally, drizzle more of that wonderful sauce on top.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Three Fun Twists to Try
This recipe is like a blank canvas. You can paint it with so many different flavors. Don’t be afraid to play with your food. I do it all the time. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- The Tropical Twist: Add juicy pineapple chunks and toasted coconut flakes. It will feel like a vacation in a bowl.
- The Super Crunch: Swap the peanuts for crunchy chow mein noodles. Add some crispy fried onions on top too. The texture is so satisfying.
- The Zesty Orange: Squeeze fresh lime juice over everything. Add some thin slices of radish for a peppery bite. It really wakes up all the flavors.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving It Up With Style
Presentation is part of the joy. I love using my big, wide noodle bowls for this. Everyone gets to see their own little masterpiece. For a side, simple shrimp chips are wonderful. They add a light, airy crunch.
Now, what to drink? A cold, fizzy ginger beer is my go-to. It cools down the spice from the sriracha so nicely. For a grown-up treat, a crisp Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully. It feels very refreshing.
Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Spring Roll Bowls Fresh
Let’s talk about keeping these bowls tasty for later. The peanut sauce can thicken in the fridge. Just stir in a teaspoon of warm water to thin it.
Store the noodles, veggies, and sauce in separate containers. This keeps everything from getting soggy. I learned this the hard way with a mushy lunch.
You can also chop all your veggies ahead of time. This makes dinner come together in a flash. Batch cooking saves you time on a busy weeknight.
Having a ready-to-go meal reduces stress. It helps you make a healthy choice easily. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
Sometimes, our cooking does not go as planned. I remember when my peanut sauce was too thick. I just added more water, one spoonful at a time.
If your noodles stick together, rinse them with cool water. Then toss them with a bit of oil. This little step makes a big difference.
Do not like spicy food? Simply leave out the serrano peppers. The dish will still be full of fresh flavor. Fixing small problems builds your confidence in the kitchen.
It also makes the food taste just right for you. Fun fact: The rice vinegar in the sauce helps balance all the flavors. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Spring Roll Bowl Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Check your hoisin sauce label too.
Q: How far ahead can I prep?
A: Chop veggies 2 days ahead. Keep the sauce separate in the fridge.
Q: What if I do not have mango?
A: No problem. Try sliced strawberries or pineapple for a sweet touch.
Q: Can I make a smaller portion?
A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredient amounts in half.
Q: Is the protein optional?
A: Yes, it is! The bowl is delicious with or without it. Which tip will you try first?
A Note From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making this bright, fresh bowl. It always brings a little sunshine to my table. I would love to see your creation.
Share a picture of your beautiful dinner. It makes this old grandma very happy. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Spring Roll Bowl
Description
A fresh and vibrant deconstructed spring roll bowl with rice noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables, and a flavorful peanut sauce.
Ingredients
Peanut Sauce:
Spring Roll Bowls:
Instructions
- Make the Peanut Sauce: Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add a little water, if needed until you reach your desired thinness. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
- Chop all vegetables and fresh herbs.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain. Add noodles to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with a tablespoon or two of sweet chili sauce and a few tablespoons of peanut sauce until well coated. Toss to combine.
- Assemble: Spoon noodles into bowls. Top with sliced avocado, carrot, mango, bell pepper, serrano pepper, cucumber, peanuts and chopped herbs. Add chicken, shrimp or tofu, if desired. Drizzle with extra sweet chili sauce and peanut sauce.
Notes
- For a vegan version, ensure the hoisin sauce is vegan-friendly and use tofu as your protein.