Asian Summer Rolls

Hi,

If you have access to an asian market you can buy a package of the round rice paper wrappers. They look like translucent handmade paper, but in fact you can eat them. If you can't find the rice paper wrappers, you can use Boston lettuce and make lettuce bowls out of the leaves and fill them with the ingredients. The two dipping sauces included at the end make great dressing for the Boston lettuce bowls or dipping sauces for the rolls.

The recipe calls for a bunch of chopping and prep. I've listed different ingredients that you can pick from. Just keep in mind the flavors and colors of the different ingredients and select those that complement each other.

Greens, 2 cups (you can choose: spinach, romaine lettuce, arugula)
Protein, Shredded cooked chicken, turkey, or pork, Fried sesame tofu (recipe follows), bacon
Mushrooms, 1/2 pound sauteed in olive oil
Herbs, 1/2 bunch (you can choose: cilantro, basil, mint)
Sweet onion, 1/4 onion very thinly sliced
Avocado, thinly sliced
Fruit, thinly sliced mango or strawberries
Veggies, Carrots or radishes, cut into match sticks

To prepare the tofu:
Cut a block or tofu into 1/4 inch slices. Press the slices gently between paper towels to squeeze out excess water. Mix together (2 tablespoons oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1 teaspoon soy sauce.) Dip the slices in the mixture. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the tofu about 15 minutes until crisp. When cool, cut into strips.

After you have prepared the ingredients you're ready to start rolling. Dip the rice paper wrapper in warm water for a few seconds. You don't want it to get too soft or it will be hard to roll. The wrapper just needs to be slightly pliable.

Layer your ingredients along the bottom third. One thing to consider is the ingredients you place on the top and bottom will show through. Lift the filled edge up and over the fillings. Fold in the sides. Keep rolling with a bit of stretching as you go. If your first one comes out a bit messy, don't worry. You can adjust the amount of filling after seeing how the first one goes. You will also develop a technique, so don't give up if your first one comes out a bit wonky.

Keep rolling until all the ingredients are used up. Afterwards prepare one or both or the dipping sauces.

Citrus Soy Dip
Whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon srirache sauce. Serve in small bowls.

Almond Sauce
Whisk together 1/4 cup almond butter, 3 tablespoons water, 3 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 tespoons lime juice. Serve in small bowls.

You can serve sliced melon and some steamed greens to fill out the meal. I've read that you can have a party where people assemble their own rolls. I've never done it, but it sounds like fun.

A last bit of summer fun.

Hugs,
Mameekosan