Spring Roll Bowls

 
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Craving fresh and flavorful? Crunchy, salty, sweet, colorful, and delicious -- our Spring Roll Bowls can satisfy them all! Great for lunch or dinner, this veggie-packed bowl delivers a healthy punch of flavor and goodness in an easy to assemble bowl. A rainbow of ingredients pair with marinated tofu and vermicelli noodles. It’s all topped with a bold and spicy peanut sauce that will tickle your taste buds!

Spring Roll Bowl with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Makes 4 servings

Tofu and Marinade Ingredients:
14 oz block firm or extra firm tofu
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds

Bowl Filling Ingredients:
2 large carrots, or 4 small carrots peeled
1 red pepper
1 English cucumber
4 green onions, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 head red cabbage, sliced with a mandoline
1 cup edamame
8.8 oz vermicelli noodles (1 standard package)

Spicy Peanut Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ginger, grated
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons water, for thinning

Garnishes:
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
Fresh cilantro leaves
Lime wedges

Directions:
1. Prepare the tofu. Drain the tofu and cut it in half down the length of the tofu block. Press the tofu between two paper towel-lined plates and use a large book or a heavy cutting board to gently press out any excess moisture. Let the tofu continue to press while preparing the other ingredients.

2. Prep the veggies. Cut the carrots and red pepper into matchsticks. Slice the cucumber, green onion, and avocado. Use a mandoline to finely shred the cabbage. Measure out the edamame.

3. Make the peanut sauce. Combine all of the peanut sauce ingredients together, except for the water, in a small bowl or measuring glass, and whisk to incorporate. Slowly whisk in the water one teaspoon at a time to thin the sauce until it is just able to be poured.

4. Place the vermicelli noodles in a bowl with very hot water, stir to separate. Cover for 15 minutes until noodles are softened and tender. Drain the noodles and run them under cool water. Set aside.

5. Cut the pressed tofu into 1/2" cubes. In a medium bowl whisk all of the the tofu marinade ingredients together, except for the sesame seeds, and then combine with the tofu. Gently and slowly toss the tofu in the marinade until the tofu is coated. Set aside for 10 minutes to let flavors incorporate into the tofu. Then sprinkle the tofu with the sesame seeds.

6. Assemble the bowls. Divide the cooked vermicelli noodles equally into four bowls. Top the noodles with the bowl filling ingredients and the tofu, sectioning the ingredients if desired. Drizzle with the peanut sauce and garnish with mint, peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

 

Chocolate Orange Holiday Cookies

 

The flavors of chocolate and orange are a classic holiday duo for well-deserved reasons! In this recipe, rich dark chocolate is paired with light and bright citrus, resulting in a cookie that tastes so sophisticated, you’ll be happy you if you chose to make a double batch!

Chocolate Orange Cookies - Slice & Bake Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon orange zest (about 1 medium orange)
4 oz dark chocolate chunks, finely chopped, plus 16 oz dark chocolate chunks for melting
Coarse sugar for rolling, (such as sugar in the raw)
Flake sea salt
Additional orange zest for sprinkling

Directions:
1. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugars and beat on medium until light and fluffy. Add the egg and almond extract and beat on high speed until the ingredients are fully combined, roughly 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Add the orange juice and continue mixing for another minute. 

2. Sift the flour in a separate bowl and mix in the salt and cardamom. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Fold in the orange zest and the 4 oz of finely chopped chocolate until evenly distributed. Gather and remove the dough from the mixer.

3. On a floured surface, divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a log, about 2-1/2 inches in diameter, and wrap in plastic wrap. Completely chill the dough (for at least 2 hrs, or for up to 1 week).

4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove one of the dough logs from the refrigerator. Roll the logs in the coarse sugar and use a sharp, serrated knife to slice the log into individual rounds, roughly 1/2" thick. Place the cookies on a large cookie sheet, roughly 2" apart and bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges of cookies are just starting to brown. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

5. While the cookies are cooling, melt 16 oz of chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (careful not to burn the chocolate if microwaving!). Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate to coat one half, and place the half-coated cookie on a parchment paper, or a silicone-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle the cookies with the flake salt and orange zest. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate set.

Store the cookies in the refrigerator to ensure the chocolate stays set.