Taste the Rainbow: Fresh Veggie Wraps with Peanut Magic
Tired of the same old boring lunch? Craving something vibrant, healthy, and packed with flavor? Look no further! These Rainbow Veggie Wraps are not only a feast for the eyes but also a nutritional powerhouse that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied. Forget those sad, soggy sandwiches and step into a world of crunchy textures, creamy spreads, and a zesty peanut sauce that will make your taste buds sing.
A Symphony of Flavors and Textures
These aren't your average wraps. We're talking layers upon layers of crisp carrots, cool cucumbers, and crunchy red cabbage. A generous smear of spiced curry hummus adds a warm and earthy note, while the optional addition of cooked rice or quinoa provides a satisfying boost of carbs. And let's not forget the sprinkle of fresh cilantro and peanuts for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
The star of the show? It has to be the creamy, dreamy peanut sauce. This isn't your run-of-the-mill peanut sauce. It is an addictive blend of peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and garlic. The slightly sweet, salty, and tangy combination pairs perfectly with the crisp veggies and earthy hummus.
How to Make These Vibrant Wraps
- Prep the Greens: Start by trimming the stems of the collard greens to make them more pliable. You can also run the leaves under hot water or place warm rice on them to soften them up.
- Assemble the Rainbow: Lay the collard leaves flat and start layering your ingredients. Add a smear of curry hummus, followed by matchstick carrots, cucumbers, and red cabbage. Add rice or quinoa if desired. Top with peanuts and cilantro.
- Roll it Up: Fold the sides of the collard leaf and roll tightly, keeping all of the goodies tucked inside. (Check out the video if you want to see it in action!)
- Whip up the Sauce: Blend the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, honey, and garlic until smooth and creamy.
- Dip and Devour: Serve your wraps with a generous dollop of the peanut sauce, and prepare for an explosion of flavors.
Tips and Variations
- Make it Ahead: While these wraps are best enjoyed fresh, you can prep all of the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge separately. Assemble just before eating. This helps avoid the hummus getting too watery.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the peanut sauce or curry hummus.
- Get Creative: Feel free to substitute any of your favorite veggies! Bell peppers, sprouts, or even avocado would be great additions.
- Nut-Free Alternative: If you need a nut-free version, try using sunflower seed butter for the sauce instead of peanut butter.
- Make it a Salad: If you are not in the mood for wraps, make it a salad with a base of lettuce or rice noodles and top it with all the delicious ingredients with the peanut sauce as a dressing.
The Perfect Desk Lunch
These Rainbow Veggie Wraps are a perfect desk lunch. They're easy to prepare, travel well, and will brighten up even the dreariest day. Plus they are packed with nutrients that will keep you satisfied and energized all afternoon. So, ditch the boring lunch and get ready to taste the rainbow!
Recipe Summary
Yields: 6 servings Prep time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- Collard greens
- Carrots, cut into matchsticks
- Cucumbers, cut into matchsticks
- Red cabbage
- Curry hummus
- Cooked rice or quinoa (optional)
- Peanuts and cilantro
Peanut Sauce
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Trim collard green stems.
- Lay the leaves flat and layer with the veggies, hummus, and rice/quinoa if using. Top with cilantro and peanuts.
- Fold in the sides of the collard leaf and roll tightly.
- Blend the sauce ingredients until smooth.
- Serve the wraps with the peanut sauce for dipping.
Enjoy!