I realized this week that I use Instagram at a mini vacation from work. ย I click on my phone, tap into the Instagram app and scroll through images of your lives.
My mind wanders through pictures of your perfectly portioned lunch, your late afternoon coffee meeting , yes your child is totally cute… of course I’ll tap like on that picture.
You’re a farmer in the English countryside? ย Show me things! ย Help me escape!
You love taking pictures of your shoes? ย Sure, I’m into it. ย I’ll like that!
You like holding random objects up in frontย of a white backdrops? ย I’m down.
You’re Rihanna? ย You’re crazy and I kinda love it.
Ooh… you had a party and I wasn’t invited? ย That’s awkward for everyone, now isn’t it? ย Suddenly this mini work vacation feels bad.
Aaaand, just as easily as I click in for vacation… I can click out.
Um… Instagram vacations might not be that brain healthy. ย They’re cheap and easy and in-chair.
Speaking of Spring Rolls (I totally wasn’t speaking of Spring Rolls)…
I think we should unwrap and deconstruct spring rolls, load up a giant bowl, douse it in spicy peanut sauce, and have a mini eat-vacation. ย I did that. ย Obviously I took pictures… ironically, I didn’tย Instagram it.
I started my Spring Roll Bowl with a big batch of softened Saifun (cellophane or bean thread) Noodles. ย I couldn’t find rice noodles at the store so I made eyes with these buddies.
What I love about these noodles is that they soften so easily, in a big bowl of hot water. ย No simmering, salting, and boiling.
After the noodles are softened, they’re topped with basically any fresh Spring Roll inspired ingredient you can think of.
This is where it gets fun!
I topped my bowl with fresh carrot ribbons, pea sprouts, thinly sliced cucumber, ripe avocado, and orange bell pepper.
Fresh herbs are really important to brighten up the bowl: ย cilantro, mint, and basil! ย Keys to the kitchen!
Lime juice adds a kick in the mouth.
Peanut sauce (I used pre-made, from a jar… gasp!) is our binding, rounding, spicy, oh my gosh soooo good element.
I made these vegetarian but they would be supreme with grilled shrimp or roasted chicken.
It’s lunch-vacation! ย You’ll need a napkin.
Spring Roll in a Bowl
inspired by The Fresh 20
serves 4
1 (roughly 5 ounce package) Saifun (bean thread noodles) ย (ride noodles also work well)
1 ripe avocado, pit removed, peeled, and sliced into chunks
1 cucumber, sliced in half lengthwise and sliced into thin half moons
1 orange or red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
1 handful sprouts (and sort you’re into)
small handful fresh cilantro leaves, torn
smaller handful of fresh basil, torn
small-ish handful fresh mint leaves, torn
1/4 cup peanut dipping sauce, or to taste
handful shelled roasted and salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
Place noodles in a large mixing bowl. ย Top noodles with boiling water. Allow to sit for 10 minutes until cooked through. ย Drain noodles in a colander and rinse with cool water. ย Shake the excess water out.
Place noodles on a large serving tray, or divide between 4 bowls. ย Top with all sorts of goodies like avocado, cucumber, pepper, carrots, sprouts, and fresh herbs. ย Add a protein like grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, or seared tofu if you’d like. ย Drizzle with peanut sauce. ย Add chopped pistachios and a squeeze of lime. ย Serve! ย
87 Responses
“ride noodles also work well”
;)
Thanks, great recipes. I see you are very interesting recipes are easy to make.
regards
We made something similar the other night. It was so light and tasty! Such an easy dish to throw together on a night when you are short on time!
This was so good! I love all of your vegan recipes. Having someone who semi-regularly blogs about bacon endorsing a bowl full of veggies makes me feel so legit. You’re awesome, keep up the good work!
I made this and it was wonderful! I omitted the pistachios because I didn’t have any on hand, but I can imagine how much they would contribute to the dish. I also should have soaked the noodles just a bit longer. They were a little hard. But super, super delicious!
This was so good! Thanks for the great, easy recipe.
I made this (a few times) this weekend and it was delish! So fresh and different.
I think, I would like this better in the bowl than as a wrap. I love big bowls of salad and this has such good stuff in it.
I also wanted to tell you that I am enjoying baking from your book.
This looks soooo good!
Love, love, love this. I’ve always ordered springs rolls at Vietnamese places, but have never been brave enough to try them at home. I think I can do this one (and we do have rice noodles at our market). thanks you bunches for the recipe!
These were awesome and so yummy! Thanks for a great easy spring roll recipe and a easy dinner idea (:
looks so delicious!!!
Summertime living in hot and semi-arid Colorado leaves me rarely wanting a heavy meal (light soup and salad is my seasonal go-to). This “spring roll” is right in line with what I crave this time of year. Looks like lunch and dinner tonight.
Also, apparently I’ve been missing out by not reading this website. Glad I finally started reading.
Ash
{The Board and Wire}
Hate to rain on everyone’s parade but this isn’t anything but a slight alteration on a Vietnamese dish called “bun.” Seeing that Ms. Baker was in New Orleans a few months ago it seems strange that she missed this dish….
you’re right, i’m failing on all points.
oh Joy, i like the way your failure is delicious and beautiful to look at too. if this is failure, your success might just be too good for us. :)
SO easy and so healthy. I love how rice noodles can be ready in seconds!
now why didn’t i think of that? you’re a genius! i love spring rolls but this looks just as good but so much easier, no rolling involved. thanks miss joy!
These look so tasty!! Do you have an alternative sauce suggestion for a little lady with an “if I eat them I die” sort of relationship with peanuts? Haha. Nut allergies are the WORST. (ps, my phone corrected that to “butt allergies.” Silly phone)
i have butt allergies too. how about sriracha and soy?
This looks so delicious!! I think i may have to actually make this one! Hopefully it tastes as wonderful as it looks… :)
I want this in my face immediately.
YUM!
I can 100% relate to your instagram relationship. It’s lovely and wonderful but also makes me question my sanity and how much I love it sometimes. It’s complex.
Also YUM. You did it again Joy the Baker.
okay so i’d like to plunge my face into this….right about NOW!
Oh heck yes. This is right up my alley. With summer coming, I crave food like this all the time.
ps I love Instagram. I think it’s kinda poetic…seeing little glimpses of everyday life around the world.
Lunch-vacation…I’m in! Especially since it’s healthy, pretty and unfussy.
I never really looked at Instagram like that, everyone’s so ancy (sp?) about privacy and always complaining. I say Instagram on people. Show the world your cat, shoes and awesome workout gear!
Wow, what a cool idea – sounds like the perfect summertime lunch!
Love that idea of Instagram as a mini vacation at work. :) And this recipe? Clever!
Hi Joy!
This looks delicious. Any suggestions on a great homemade peanut dipping sauce??
Thank you!!
I love cellophane noodles. Yummy!
What peanut sauce do you use? My boyfriend puts the stuff on everything so I can’t be bothered to make it from scratch all the time, but I can’t find one I like as much as homemade…
homemade is definitely best. i’ve used san-j thai peanut.
I love this idea!!! It’s brilliant!!
I’m pretty bummed that I already made my lunch because I so want this now! I was actually going to have rice paper rolls but couldn’t be bothered because they are so darn fussy! You have the solution here, this looks so beautiful, colourful, and healthy
I love it and often try to make peanut sauce at home because its a must. Also for some crunch i add more peanuts..just a simple note- on your ingredients section – it says ride noodles, i think you meant rice noodles :)
I just made spring rolls the other day and this looks much easier!
I can sympathize. I have a serious condition that forces me to start grazing on my lunch at around 9:30 am. These look great! Way easier than recruiting all the hands you know to assemble 100s of spring rolls!
I am such an instagram procrastinator. I love getting little sneak peaks of what you’re working on! This spring roll in a bowl is pretty ingenious. I rarely make spring rolls because those wrappers seem like more trouble than they are worth.
Brilliant, Joy! Just friggin brilliant.
Love how light and easy this dish is!!!
Laughed out loud at this post; I like how your mind works girl! Beautifully photographed too, thanks Joy!
https://RightIris.blogspot.com
4 servings? Fat chance I’d be sharing a giant bowl of this! Can’t wait to try it!!
This looks delicious and healthy! Just what I need after yesterday’s way too many sugary lattes!
This looks so yummy, I can’t wait to try my own variation at home! Btw, I seriously love your blog…it’s so honest, funny, a little sassy and refreshing. The only thing that makes me sad is that I don’t personally know you so I can come snack on these amazing treats you make! Keep up the amazing work you do!
I LOVE the sound of this salad! The colors and bright flavors would be just what I’ve been craving lately. And peanut sauce is one of my favorite toppings :)
I always laugh out loud at your posts! Looks delicious!
xo Lisa
Making Life’s Lemons
oh my gosh. they have a salad just like this at a restaurant in the skyway at work. it comes with an egg roll. this looks a million times healthier.
I totally use Instagram at work for a procrastination tool. Looks like a tasty bowl, I think I’ll make one for a weekend lunch!
This looks lovely. I’d take out the avocado and toss in some marinated (or not) chunks of tofu instead.
I need to find a way to get straight to the point like you do. Today’s transition to the recipe was not smooth but it was spontaneous and funny and totally functional. You’re so good.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I’m totally doing this! So summery fresh!
awesome idea to inside out a spring roll! very cool.
This looks awesome!! I love all the color!
This sounds BANANAS! I love all of the flavors in here and with all the fresh summer veggies coming out, this looks like the perfect summer dish. Genius in a bowl.
Awesome idea!
Looks so yummy and healthy. Love anything deconstructed like this.
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
I love spring roll things in a bowl! I love the look of this, joy!
Mmm…these look so good right now. Even at 6:45am. :)
This is the perfect weekend meal, and something the whole family would dig – especially set out buffet style. I’m incredibly fond of the fact that there is no actual cooking involved – it makes it a perfect thing to prepare after a long Saturday in the sun. I want to try those noodles this instant! Thx for another brilliant idea. I love the way your food brain works!
The look delicious, thanks to your recipe!!! I have to try this version!
Eva :)
Oh my dear! i have just discover the blog and i would like to have the time enought to make everything!
Congrats!
I am a new follower :)
Mmm… deconstructed spring rolls! I like it!
Lol you are so outside the box. I love it!! Yeah…why not just eat it this way?!~ It’s just as tasty.
I love spring rolls and your idea of just tossing it all in a bowl is way easier than messing with sticky, paper thin, rice paper wrappers. And everything in peanut sauce is automatically amazing!
this is SUCH a good idea! i love love LOVE spring rolls, but i could definitely do without the wrappers at the moment. thank you for this! xx
Joy, you are totally reading my mind this week. First peanut butter and pickles, now easy spring roll meal. I could eat both every day, with a brownie for dessert.
this looks like a vietnamese noodle dish called “bun thit nuong” except there’s also charbroiled pork, pickled vegetables and a fish sauce instead of peanut sauce. It’s sooooooo delicious…one of my favorite dishes!