southeast | Delightful-Delicious-Delovely

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2018

To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.

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OK! Vegan Thai Pad Gra Prow – Spicy Beef & Basil – with Wide Rice Noodles!!! I added fresh noodles that I bought at Bangluck but this would go just as nicely over rice – or in lettuce wraps.

This dish is very easy & doesn’t use anything especially exotic. I recommend it very highly!

Vegan Thai Pad Gra Prow – Spicy Beef & Basil – with Wide Rice Noodles & Bok Choy

SERVES 2 well

INGREDIENTS

A 1-2 TBS sesame oil (or olive oil)

7 (or more) ounces vegan beef (I used seitan)

16 ounces fresh rice noodles (or cooked pasta or cooked rice)

1/2 red bell pepper – sliced into strips

1/2 small onion – diced

2 jalapenos – diced

2 heads bok choy – cleaned (optional) & chopped a bit

5 garlic cloves – chopped

1 TBS liquid aminos (or soy sauce or tamari) – plus extra

1 tsp dark soy sauce – plus extra if you think it needs more

1 tsp vegan oyster or mushroom sauce

1 TBS sambal oelek

1/2 tsp agave nectar (or brown sugar)

1/2 – 1 cup basil leaves (I used a mixture of Thai sweet basil & Thai holy basil but any basil will do – Thai ones being preferred)

GARNISH – lime wedges, cilantro

DIRECTIONS

If using noodles – separate them under cold running water. If using pasta or rice – cook it & set aside.

Heat the sesame oil (1 or 2 TBS) in a wok or large saute pan.

Add the red bell pepper, onion & jalapenos. Saute until soft. Add all the other ingredients except the garlic & basil (and the garnish). Heat the noodles & meat through & let the bok choy wilt. I added a bit of extra liquid aminos here because I thought the dish needed a tad more salt & moisture. This is your call. Once the bok choy is wilted & the ingredients are well-combined – stir in the garlic & basil.

Serve with cilantro & lime wedges!

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2017

Follow @celisemccarthy

To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.

Click the image below to watch the video.

Vegan Vietnamese Fresh Salad Rolls

Ingredients:

1 package clear edible rice spring roll sheets (Here on Amazon)

FILLING OPTIONS:

1 package vermicelli rice noodles, prepared according to package directions
Tofu or other protein
Basil – fresh (Thai sweet or hot basil is nice, too, if you can find it)
Mint – fresh
Cilantro – fresh
Butter lettuce, washed and separated into leaves – ribs removed
Carrots, peeled & cut into very thin matchsticks
Cucumber, peeled and cut into very thin strips
Avocado
Purple cabbage
Bell pepper strips
Asparagus
Mango
Papaya
Sprouts
Micro greens

Be sure you have the type of wrappers pictured below (or another brand) and not egg roll or wonton wrappers. Those are an entirely different breed & need cooking.

Directions:

Prepare the noodles & vegetables in advance – being sure they are washed & dried. Have a large bowl of warm water ready for dipping the spring roll wrappers.

1 Dip a sheet of spring roll wrapper into water very quickly, no longer than a second or two (or they will get too soggy) and lay flat on a work surface.
2 On one edge, lay a small handful of noodles, some basil & mint leaves, some pressed tofu, some cucumber & carrot strips, purple cabbage, avocado & some micro greens (or whatever fillings you are using) – being careful not to overstuff the wrapper.
3 Roll up burrito style, tucking in the sides, then continue to roll up-but not too tightly or the spring roll wrapper will tear.

You will, no doubt, need a few attempts to get one right. Be patient – it gets easier. Be prepared to throw a bunch away or to settle for some funky shaped rolls! They should be served fairly quickly after preparing them. Too much time in the fridge after assembly will dry them out. These can be filled with nearly anything so feel free to get creative!

You can BUY a spicy peanut sauce in a jar or can at most Asian markets or online (for example – http://www.lynmarket.com/proddetail.asp?prod=011152198903). They are usually quite good, but, if you are feeling motivated –

Peanut Sauce Dipping Sauce

Ingredients