Vietnamese spring rolls are affordable options to keep meals interesting

In a time when we are all looking for ways to eat healthier and more affordably, look to Vietnamese spring rolls to keep your meals interesting.

Many enjoy these delicious rolls when dining at a favorite Vietnamese restaurant, but few of us know how easy and budget-friendly they are to prepare. Start out with rice paper wraps and either mung bean or rice vermicelli. The Super King Food Centers in Stockton carry a large variety of rice paper and vermicelli in every size and shape that you can think of. Furthermore, they are cheap, a couple bucks for a package of each. You should get at least four or five large meals out of the two packages combined.

Cook the vermicelli according to package instructions. Soak the rice paper wraps in water until the imprinted design on the wraps fade and they are soft and pliable. Gently place on a flat surface and stuff to your hearts desire! I prefer a large amount of veggies, a few herbs, a little of the noodles and a small amount of protein for optimal flavor and texture. Wrap ingredients gently and set aside. The soft wrap will become more firm as it sits for a few minutes. This is a great use for cold leftover meats and vegetables. Dip rolls into a little bit of soy sauce with mashed garlic and ginger or create a delicious sauce of your own creation!

My favorite spring roll ingredients:

Vermicelli noodles, shrimp, chicken, chopped hard boiled eggs, mint, basil, cilantro, green onions, chives, lettuce (especially red lettuce), shaved carrots, cucumber, avocado, bell peppers (thinly sliced), cabbage, zucchini (raw and thinly sliced).

My favorite sauce ingredients:

Soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, fish sauce (use sparingly), rice wine vinegar, unseasoned; lime juice, siracha chili sauce, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, green onions, cilantro, jalapenos.

My favorite combination:

Vermicelli, chopped hard boiled eggs, mint leaves, two small; cilantro, 2 small sprigs, shaved carrots, red lettuce.

Sauce:

Rice wine vinegar, one part; soy sauce, two parts; a few garlic cloves and equal parts fresh ginger mashed and allowed to sit for at least 30 minutes in the sauce; and a shot of siracha to taste.

If the flavor is just way to salty for you, dilute with a little bit of water. Finish with chopped green onion.

Vietnamese spring rolls are fun, easy, and healthy. The ingredients — rice paper and vermicelli — are affordable and can be stored indefinitely. These rolls are a great way to use leftover meats and veggies to make a healthy and delicious meal. Especially with dishes like Vietnamese spring rolls, good food need only be comprised of a few quality ingredients.

Robyn Grace Jennings is a "food obsessed local," who enjoys both cooking and dining out. She can be reached at robyngracejennings@yahoo.com. Read Robyn's blog, The Dish.

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