Becky Excell’s Caramelized Pork and Leek Spring Roll Bowl
These easy noodle bowls are full of flavour and ready in just 20 minutes — ideal for when you want a speedy lunch at home. Inspired by the flavours of spring rolls, the rice noodles are topped with stir-fried veg, crispy pork mince and a squeeze of lime.
Introduction
Sticky-sweet, umami pork over soft rice vermicelli with a colourful tangle of carrot, cabbage, pepper and crunchy beansprouts. It’s like a deconstructed spring roll (no deep-frying required) that you can justify eating for lunch! Leek greens and ginger bring fragrance, while the sugar and fish sauce work harmoniously to ensure those glossy, savoury, caramelized twangs. It’s big flavour guaranteed and straight into bowls in next to no time. Fresh lime at the end makes everything pop.
Ingredients
| 1 tsp | garlic-infused olive oil |
| 80g (2¾oz) | leek, finely diced |
| 2cm (¾in) piece of | peeled and finely grated fresh ginger |
| ¼ tsp | dried chilli flakes |
| 250g (9oz) | lean minced (ground) pork |
| 2 tbsp | light brown sugar |
| 1 tbsp | fish sauce |
| 2 tbsp | gluten-free soy sauce |
| 1 | medium carrot, grated |
| 1 | red (bell) pepper, cut into thin strips |
| ⅓ | Savoy cabbage, shredded |
| Small handful of | beansprouts |
| 100g (3½oz) | dried vermicelli rice noodles or brown rice noodles |
| Small handful of | spring onion (scallion) greens, sliced |
| Lime wedges, to serve |
Method
Place a large non-stick wok over a high heat and add
the oil. Add the leek, ginger and chilli flakes and stir fry
for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the minced pork, break it up and cook for 2 minutes.
Sprinkle over the sugar, fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of
the soy sauce. Let it sizzle undisturbed until the liquid
evaporates and the pork browns, then stir. Stir once or
twice more until sticky and caramelized.
Add the carrot, red pepper, cabbage and beansprouts
and stir fry for 5–6 minutes until just tender with a little
bite. Stir in the remaining soy sauce.
Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet
instructions, and drain. Divide the noodles between
2 bowls, spoon over the pork and veg, top with the spring
onion greens and serve with lime wedges to squeeze
over just before eating.
This can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days in airtight
containers. Reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
Reviews
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