Some Asian sides please

[southernitalian]

I'm having some friends over tonight for an last minute get together. I'm making summer rolls with fresh shrimp and plan to steam up a bunch of mini pork soup dumplings. Any other easy ideas to go along with this?

[FoodPopulist]

It's not really an Asian meal without plain, white rice.

[ipsedixit]

Really???

[FoodPopulist]

Well, not really, but almost.

[ipsedixit]

I don't even think almost.

[travelerjjm]

One might be an Asian slaw. I sometimes make one with red pepper flakes to wake up the mouth. I have done something like this http://www.food.com/recipe/awesome-as... but use google to find one that requires ingredients you have on had.

One thing I have done is roasted (grilled) some veggies like scallions and slices of red pepper and served them with a Thai peanut sauce dip that has been thinned with a little Mirin and soy sauce.

Some veggie sushi rolls would be easy if you have the stuff.

[travelerjjm]

This made me think of a bento box. Japanese pickles go well there. You could do some chilled sesame noodles (noodles dressed with sesame oil, mirin and soy) and top with sliced cucumber or something else pretty or crab.

A little edamame might be fun, too.

I think there are a few in Jeff Smith's _The Frugal Gourmet Three Ancient Cuisines_, too.

There are so many options depending on what you have sitting around.

[katecm]

This soba noodle salad with mango and cucumber is really summery and delightful: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

If you want to skip the noodles, you can make an incredible cucumber salad. Peel and slice a few cucumbers and put them in a bowl with thinly sliced red onions and jalapenos. Bring rice wine vinegar and sugar to a simmer so that the sugar dissolves. Let it cool a bit, pour over the veggies, and refrigerate for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Before serving, mix in some cilantro and peanuts. It's SO INCREDIBLY GOOD.

[southernitalian]

I actually wound up making something almost exactly like this! Thanks.

[tiffeecanoe]

I am also going to suggest a cucumber salad, Thai style? Vinegar, sugar, cilantro, jalapeno, etc.? Nice and refreshing.

[janniecooks]

I agree with JungMann that something crunchy would be in order, but it might be better to avoid repeating the flavors of the summer rolls, and with dumplings and summer rolls, I'd avoid a noodle dish. How about baby bok choy stir fried with garlic, ginger and steamed to crisp-tender with some broth or rice wine, or a cold asparagus salad dressed with soy, sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds (or subsitute snap peas or snow peas for the asparagus). Or a cold cucumber salad with a rice wine and sesame oil viniagrette.

[JungMann]

Two soft items make me think you could do something crunchy. Maybe a green papaya salad or, if you're feeling creative, the same dressing over grated watermelon rind? If you don't have either on hand, you could always do a Vietnamese-inspired noodle salad with plenty of fresh vegetables (julienned carrots, jicama, cucumber and red peppers would do nicely), a fistful of mint, basil and cilantro and a sweet and salty fish sauce and lime dressing. Toss in some peanuts and you've got all your food groups covered. Light rice flour fritters, plump with vegetables, seafood or meat can also go with a soy and vinegar dip that would compliment your dumplings.

[BananaBirkLarsen]

I am intrigued by the idea of a watermelon rind "green papaya" salad. Which part of the rind do you use? The tough outer part? The less tough inner white part? Both? Could this be done with other types of melon rind (honeydew, for example?) I love green papaya salad and this seems like such a great way to make a salad out of something I would otherwise throw away.

[JungMann]

I am talking about the white, fleshy part between the outer shell and sweet fruit. It has a slightly tart flavor that bear some resemblance to green papaya or mango. You can use any melon rind and though I have not tried this with honeydew, I imagine its sweet overtones would make melon rind salad or pickles especially delicious.

[BananaBirkLarsen]

I will definitely try this next time I have a melon!