mellie wrote on Nov 24^th, 2010 at 8:49am:



Yes, that's all very well, but can you please advise on how someone is meant to know what colour a sweet potato is on the inside before you purchase it.

Rice paper rolls.

http://floridaprivatechef.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/RicePaperRolls_B.37...

Now, these are so versatile you can deviate from the recipe that's always on the back of the rice paper wraps packet, ie, tonight I'm stuffing mine with large sweet chilly strips, mint, coriander, rice vermacilli noodles, 8 Australian tiger prawns which I have marinated in an oil-free Thai coconut dressing,(purchased from Asian section of supermarket where the rice papers are) spring onions, bean shoots, shredded carrot, ..and I'll be making 3 different dipping sauces to serve them with, and purchased 3 limes today for $1.

All this cost me $16, and this will serve at least 4....AT LEAST!

Grant it, I already had coriander and mint in my garden,but basically, you can stuff them with what you like, even cold shredded chicken if prawns aren't your thing.

To give you some idea as to how affordable they are...

Wai Wai rice vermicilli noodles 200g $1.20
Erawan rice papers 16  250g $2.27
Bean shoots 250g  $1.90
Mae ploy salad dressing 280ml  $2.37
8 Australian black tiger Prawns $5.72
pre-pack bag of carrots 1k $1.95
3 red Chilly (large red long ones) 78c
Spring onions (optional) $2.48

Now, I probably could have done this even cheaper had I gone to Woolworths, though I was on foot, so went to Coles.

Basically, a really healthy, yummy, cheap, simple, fast, low fat meal for under $20.

If you use chicken and omit some of the extra ingredients, this and just stuck to the recipe on the back of the rice papers packet, you could  do it for even less.

http://ourkitchen.fisherpaykel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/rice_paper_rolls_m...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/683608189_c20cd548cb.jpg

I will toast some sesame seeds to add to the vege mix before rolling them up also.
This and I have a Lebanese cucumber in the fridge I will use up too.

For a vegetarian version, use avocado, omelet (egg) strips ...or just make vege ones if you like.

Basically, get creative, and stuff them with what you like.

My kids love them!

Ps:
This Thai coconut dressing $2.37 with lime in it is oil free, and is thickened with coconut syrup and doubles up as a marinade for your prawns or chicken meat and as a dipping sauce.

http://www.woolworths.co.nz/Content/ProductImages/big/8850367990443.jpg

gizmo_2655 wrote on Nov 25^th, 2010 at 12:15pm:




So youre suggesting that you have to damage the shop item.
As any ones damaged already wouldn't be selected by a consumer.

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Nov 25^th, 2010 at 12:17pm:



No I'm suggesting looking....generally speaking ALL the items like these in a single bin will be the same variety.....so search through, find one that's had the skin scratched by handling/transport. IF that doesn't work, rub the skin yourself.....it really doesn't matter if you damage it, providing you buy it...

You might need to simply wipe some dirt off the narrow end of the sweet potato to tell......

What about the stem, that helps for other fruits and vegies.

Highly Ignored Power Veg

In deep Asia (that part of Asia where deep eastern wisdom is sourced), some folks call it “talbos ng kamote.” In America, it’s simply sweet potato leaves or Yam leaves. Talbos or sweet potato leaves is a highly nutritious green leafy vegetable abundant in the tropics and often underrated as poor man’s veggie. But really, it’s a powerful herbal wellness plant.

It is actually more of a vegetable than an herb. But sweet potato leaves are classified as herbaceous perennial vines, with heart shaped (sometimes long and pointed) green leaves with medium-size sympetalous flowers. Well, most types are green leafy, but there are other deep or bright colored varieties. Though more tropical, this plant can be grown almost anywhere.
So Easy to Plant and Manage

I think this is the easiest herb or veggie to plant and manage. It easily grows in any garden—it even grows by itself like wild grass does. Just take a few cut stems and plant into soft soil, water a little daily, and that’s it. They spread as a vine or shrub and even grow new roots that bulge underground into a root crop—sweet potato. The crop is popular, but little is known about the sweet potato leaves. They’re best grown on the side of mountains or hills.
Super Leaves

The sweet potato leaves are rich in Vitamin A (ideal for skin care!), fiber, and micro nutrients. They’re healthy for the blood. If your blood lacks redness, or if you have low-blood pressure, make sweet potato leaves a regular salad side dish. If you often lack sleep, eat them often. They’re also so good for remedying constipation. You wanna loose weight? The leaves of sweet potato are ideal. And it’s cheap. Overall, people in Asia with weak bodies and ill health are encouraged to often eat this herbal veggie. It improves health in many ways.

Super Talbos Tea

Preparing the leaves for salad is easy. Simply steam them over very minimal amount of water. Once the pot releases steam, turn off the fire. The leaves are ready. Because steaming them must take only a few seconds, make sure you wash the leaves thoroughly.

Now, don’t throw the boiled water away. It’s good as tea. Pour into a cup and drink it while hot. Talbos tea is an energy booster and good for easing cold and flu. Better if you squeeze in a slice of lemon or kalamansi. If you need to do overtime work and stay awake, try talbos tea.

Moreover, more and more people in Manila swear that the brew can lower high body temperature during flu or high fever. There had been reports that people with Dengue (mosquito induced fatal high fever) whose blood platelets had fallen to dangerously low levels were normalized by drinking lots of the brew. Well, such claims have never been validated medically, and this needs serious scientific study. However, trying talbos tea during high fevers won’t hurt.

A Veggie Dish

This leaf is quite versatile. It can be mixed in soup dishes, served solo as a viand, or as a side dish for fried or grilled meats or fish. Mix the cut leaves into tenderized pork or fish soup dishes while boiling. Or, steam them and sprinkle some vinegar and salt with sliced onion and tomato toppings. To serve potato leaves as a solo dish, sauté with some garlic, onions, and some drops of soy sauce. Top with thinly sliced egg.