Well, I think I've found the next best (healthy) thing. A hand held salad sandwich.
Using my new favorite rice paper as the wrap around all those beautiful colored veggies. It's a salad roll. Now I know what you're saying. No, it's not a big tuna on rye with classic crunchy potato chips. However it is colorful, healthy, real food and very nutritious. I make an Asian peanut sauce on the side, to use as a dip.
These fancy little wrappers are called spring roll skins and I found them at my local health food store, Basic Foods. They are stiff to start, but you soak them in warm water for a minute and then they become soft and easy to use.
Anyone can do this...but if you're a mom, this is a perfect activity for your kids to get more involved in the kitchen and interested in more vegetables. It truly is fun to prepare, (once the veggie prepping is done) and very easy to roll up. Educational and healthy, literally all wrapped up in one meal.
The idea for this creation came out of what else, a craving I had. Lately, I've been craving a crunchy salad but was too lazy to make a big bowl. I saw fresh spring rolls in a few cookbooks I have and thought, that doesn't look too hard, and perfect to take on the go. After eating these rolls for days, I feel as if I'm getting that 'hand held' sandwich craving satisfied however, my stomach is light and happy...just like after a normal salad.
The joy of working with this super thin, wonder paper reminds me of peeling off my friend's skin after a really nasty sunburn. I know gross, right?!! Did you ever do that? I had a really boring childhood...we made our own strange fun. Remember the thrill of peeling off a big piece....well this is the 'edible' variety. It's edible 'skin' made of rice...pretty cool, huh?!
Not suggesting you would ever eat human skin...but whatever you're into-no judgement here.
The best part of this clear paper is deciding what will go into your salad rolls. I've been loving kale, arugula, peppers, thin carrot strips, avocado and sprouts. The ideas are limitless.
So if your salad needs a little shake up, or you need a new lunch idea, give these rolls a try. Simple, healthy and fun to eat and make. It's a win-win for flavor and nutrition.
What You'll Need:
Spring roll skins, Veggies strips of your choice, Greens, Avocado
Easy 'Peanut' Sauce: to dip rolls into, or to drizzle over the top
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 tablespoon tamari sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
1-2 tablespoons of water (to thin it out)
start out with 1 tablespoon and stir until you like the consistency.
'Eat food, mostly plants and not too much.' -Michael Pollen
Hope this inspired you to lighten up your plate and add in more color.
Enjoy. Cheers! Here's to you and your health.
green juice on the go...
xo


