Spring Rolls with Spicy Peanut Sauce

So, our class decided that it would be a great idea if we all got together at least one weekend every month to have a "potluck". It's just a way for us to stay involved with each other outside of school... plus, we all really enjoy cooking and eating, so it's just fun!

I'm making spring rolls, a recipe that Dianne gave me, it's simple but I really enjoy the freshness of the vegetables and herbs that she picked to use. The spicy peanut sauce is also really good, we usually make it a lot spicier but I don't want to overwhelm anyone's taste buds tonight.

Spring Rolls

spring roll wrappers

leaf lettuce, torn

spicy peanut sauce {recipe below}

vermicelli {rice} noodles, cooked

rice wine vinegar

carrots, shredded

cilantro, torn

mint {regular or chocolate}, torn

basil {regular or thai}, torn

napa cabbage, chopped

• To assemble the spring rolls, soak a wrapper in warm water until pliable.
• Place the lettuce on the bottom and top with about 1 tablespoon of sauce, add some noodles, carrots, herbs and the cabbage and wrap up as if you were wrapping a burrito.
• Cut in half on the diagonal and serve when ready.

I actually forgot to add the rice wine vinegar to the noodles, but they are still fine without it.

Spicy Peanut Sauce:

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons onion, chopped

2 garlic clove, chopped

4 tablespoons red pepper flakes*

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water 

2 tablespoon peanut butter

2 tablespoon hoisin sauce

2 teaspoon tomato paste or ketchup

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• In a pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil and cook the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes.
• Add the remaining ingredients and combine. Cook for about 5-6 minutes.

*If you're not as fond of spice as myself, you can reduce or omit the amount of red pepper flakes in the recipe. That's the awesome thing about a recipe, it can be changed to fit you better!

Ashley