Monday, October 28, 2013

healthy spring rolls with vietnamese chicken

















Hall of Fame!  THIS is what we're having for dinner tonight and I am so excited.  Our family spent a few nights at the coast a few weeks ago and I ordered shrimp rolls. They were so delicious I have been wanting more ever since (a sure sign of a great meal).  I have to say these are just as good if not better!  For starters, the Vietnamese chicken is outstanding by itself.  Wrap it up with some veggies and dip the entire thing in peanut sauce and you've got heaven on earth.  My husband said reminded him of something we'd get at Magenta, his favorite restaurant.  Success.

healthy spring rolls with vietnamese chicken (slightly adapted from Half Baked Harvest)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar (I used 1 tablespoon Splenda)
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
2 cloves garlic, minced

filling
1 1/2 cups cooked whole wheat vermicelli noodles
julienne cut carrots, a handful or two
1 red bell pepper, sliced into small sticks
spinach leaves
fresh basil leaves
12 or so rice paper wrappers

In a medium size bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, lime juice, curry, ginger and garlic.  Add the chicken.  Grill chicken. (Original recipe says you can brown the chicken on the stove top.)  Allow to cool then slice into strips.
Create an assembly line of filling ingredients.  Fill a shallow dish with war water.  Add a rice paper sheet, one at a time for 5 to 10 seconds.  Remove and place on a flat surface.  Towards one end of the rice wrapper, layer the 2 to 3 leaves of basil, spinach, noodles, chicken, carrots and red pepper.  Fold both ends to the center and roll the sheet as tightly as you can without ripping.  Continue with remaining sheets of rice wrappers and filling.  Serve with a peanut sauce.  You can make your own however I used store bought.  It was delicious!!

8 comments:

  1. I love spring rolls! Years ago I took a cooking class that explained how to prepare and roll the wrappers, but I don't remember. I think I even have the wrappers in my pantry! I will have to make these soon. Do you have a peanut sauce brand/recipe you recommend?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Melissa! I used House of Tsang Thai Peanut Grilling Sauce. It's a black jar with red writing. It was great with the spring rolls then yesterday for lunch I added some to my stir fry and it was really good-I used all my leftovers from the spring rolls. How nice that you already have the wrappers; it took me a while to realize where to find them- at the "nicer" store in town and NOT in the refrigerated section- right on the shelf! Enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't remember what brand I found, but the colors you mention sound familiar. Greg and I loved these! I will be making them when my dad and stepmom visit this month...but I have to practice my wrapping skills!

      Delete
  3. Hey Erin! Let me know when you do.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just finished cooking the chicken. Wow. It IS good! Can't wait for dinner tonight! BTW - did I tell you we're moving to Oklahoma?!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, I was sent your way from your cousin, Emily. I was looking for a simple healthy recipe and I LOVE yours! I just made them for my family and they were devoured. I will for sure be checking out your other recipes and sending others your way. Thank you! -Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sarah- I think we were in 12squared together! Glad you found me here; I hope you find some other good recipes. Let me know if you do! : )

    ReplyDelete