A week or so ago I posted my latest discovery of Thai Basil Pesto, today I want to share with you a couple dishes to use the pesto in: Soba Noodles and Vegetables with Thai Basil Pesto and a recipe for fresh spring rolls using Thai Basil Pesto.
This Asian pasta dish is one of our go-to dishes to bring to friends when they have a baby. We are definitely in the season of babies with our group of friends and it’s been so fun celebrate with our friends by sharing a meal with them. I try to bring something healthy, loaded with vegetables and full of flavor. One friend even said that she thinks eating healthy after having her baby helped her to avoid postpartum depression. A healthy meal goes a long way! We sometimes switch it up and bring over Kung Pao Chicken but spring rolls are always part of the meal. The spring rolls are light and fun to make and share, plus they are super easy and once you’ve sliced up all of the vegetables you can divide them up between the pasta and the spring rolls for the two separate dishes.
This soba noodle pasta dish is so versatile, I have served it with a light sauce, then topped with Thai Basil Pesto and I’ve also served it with a peanut sauce (recipe below). The sauces can be made in advance as well as chopping the vegetables. If you have a mandolin this is a great recipe to dust that off for. I use the mandolin to slice up all the vegetables for both these dishes.
Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
A simple how to on making fresh spring rolls at home.
Ingredients
- 10 round sheets of rice paper
- 2 cups of thinly sliced vegetables red peppers, carrots and I added cucumbers
- 1/2 cup mint or basil
- 5 teaspoons thai basil pesto optional
for the Peanut Dipping Sauce
- 2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons agave or honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon miso
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
- Dash of red pepper flakes to taste OR 1/4 teaspoon chili paste
- 1/3 cup warm water
- peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- In a wide skillet heat up a cup of water to warm. Place 1 rice paper at a time in the warm water, flipping after only a few seconds. Once paper is malleable, transfer to a plate then add a small amount of each vegetable, smear a half teaspoon of thai basil pesto along the vegetables, and add in a few leaves of mint or basil. Fold the ends of the rice paper up, the roll from right to left until the paper is sealed. Serve with Peanut Dipping Sauce.
for the Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Stir together the peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, agave, lime juice and miso. Whisk until smooth. Then add in the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Gradually stir in the warm water until smooth. Add more water as needed for the right consistentcy. Serve alongside Fresh Spring Rolls or mix into Soba Noodle Pasta.
Notes
the peanut sauce can be also used on top of soba noodles instead of the pesto or light sauce.
Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
A simple how to on making fresh spring rolls at home.
Ingredients
- 10 round sheets of rice paper
- 2 cups of thinly sliced vegetables red peppers, carrots and I added cucumbers
- 1/2 cup mint or basil
- 5 teaspoons thai basil pesto optional
for the Peanut Dipping Sauce
- 2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons agave or honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon miso
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
- Dash of red pepper flakes to taste OR 1/4 teaspoon chili paste
- 1/3 cup warm water
- peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- In a wide skillet heat up a cup of water to warm. Place 1 rice paper at a time in the warm water, flipping after only a few seconds. Once paper is malleable, transfer to a plate then add a small amount of each vegetable, smear a half teaspoon of thai basil pesto along the vegetables, and add in a few leaves of mint or basil. Fold the ends of the rice paper up, the roll from right to left until the paper is sealed. Serve with Peanut Dipping Sauce.
for the Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Stir together the peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, agave, lime juice and miso. Whisk until smooth. Then add in the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Gradually stir in the warm water until smooth. Add more water as needed for the right consistentcy. Serve alongside Fresh Spring Rolls or mix into Soba Noodle Pasta.
Notes
the peanut sauce can be also used on top of soba noodles instead of the pesto or light sauce.
What a colorful meal! It looks so wholesome and delicious.
What lucky friends to have such a fantastic meal delivered to them! Both the noodles and the spring rolls incorporate all of my favorite flavors.
Great post! I’m making Thai Basil Pesto next year for sure!
What a great idea for post baby. I love how fresh this is – and all of the veggies!!
This is just the light meal I need after a weekend of heavy dishes. Love it.
very easy n healthy!!!! thank u.
I love all the recipes in your blog.
But I am not familiar with the ingrediets and do not know where to get them. It be very helpful if there is a vocabulary area that shows the meaning of some.Like pesto,rice paper,and more from all the wonderful
recipes.I am just learning how to cook
and seeing your recipes motivates me to learn more. Thank you for your recipes.
Hi Nene, please feel free to leave comments on any recipe you have questions on and I would be glad to help! I don’t currently have a vocabulary area. As for pesto – its a Italian sauce made with basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and nuts (most commonly pine nuts). I use it over pasta, chicken and veggies but its uses are limitless. For rice paper, I find it at Asian food stores or Health Food stores. It is what you use to wrap the spring rolls. You have to get it wet with a bit of hot water in order to make it pliable to roll. Again, feel free to ask any more questions that you come across! Take care, Becky