Spring Roll Bowls
250 g vermicelli rice noodles
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic, freshly minced
1 tsp ginger, freshly minced
1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
800 g pork mince/ground pork (can be substituted with chicken or regular beef mince)
1 cup green cabbage, shredded
2 cups bean sprouts
½ cup carrots, grated or julienned
20 spring onions/scallions, finely sliced, some reserved for garnish
½ cup chicken stock
2 tbsp light soy sauce (see note 1)
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, see note 2)
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sesame seeds

 

Prepare the vermicelli rice noodles as per the packet instructions. I place the desired number of noodle bundles in a large bowl, cover with boiling water, stand for 5 minutes, drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet on medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes until the water has evaporated and the mushrooms have softened.
Add the pork mince and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes, breaking it up as you go, until browned.
Add the cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots and spring onions. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
Add the chicken stock, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes (see note 3).
Divide the noodles between four bowls. Top with the pork mixture, the reserved spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
NOTES
1 – The light soy sauce can be replaced with 1 teaspoon of tamari or regular soy sauce.
2 – The oyster sauce gives the recipe a deeper depth of flavour but can be left out completely if preferred (there is no need to substitute it).
3 – The meal may taste a little salty and the reason for this is that the vermicelli noodles are neutral in flavour and can take a good hit of salt. Once paired with the noodles, you’ll have the perfect balance of salty, savoury deliciousness.