easy and impressive: spring rolls!

I love a spring roll. They are healthy, delicious and when you make them yourself you can impress all your friends. I love when food network folks say that, because Im not often having large gatherings of friends Im dying to impress with myculinaryskills. Most often its just me, my husband and my Lola. But maybe you do have these gatherings I digress.

A spring roll is a Vietnamese appetizer. It looks like a transparentburrito of sorts and its filled with all kinds of vegetables and usually shrimp. The beauty of the spring roll is that they are much easier to make than youd think and (much like aburrito) you can put whatever you like in them; thus making it your special spring roll recipe.

You needrice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter) *These can be found in the asian foods section of most grocery stores.

All you do is take these out of the package and soak them in cold water while you get together the rest of your ingredients. I like

  • cooked shrimp cut in half
  • chopped lettuce
  • chopped fresh Thai basil (or any basil)
  • fresh cilantro
  • bean sprouts
  • grated carrots
  • chopped garlic
  • sugar snap peas

Take a pre-soaked wrapper out of the water and add whatever ingredients youve chosen. You dont want to over-pack these bad boys, they are meant to be about the size of an egg roll. Next fold the top and bottom into the middle and roll like aburrito. This part takes a little bit of practice, but it isnt rocket science. Your first one or two might have to be eaten in the kitchen. :)

See also  I’m not a vegan I just veg a lot.

They are delicious plain but can also be dipped into (low sodium) soy sauce or peanut sauce. I dont actually make these things. You could for extra credit, but in the same isle you found the wrappers there should be some delicious options. Just dont slather it on or else thehealthinessis out the window.

If this all sounds too labor intensive let me make it even easier for you. When I do this kind of cooking I like to get all my ingredients ready made; so for the vegetables I hit up the salad bar at the grocery store for grated carrots, sugar snap peas, sprouts (and for your special recipe any other veggies that look good). With precooked shrimp there is literally no work except to soak and roll!

Now go out there and impress all the guests Im not having over tonight, or just make yourself a delicious, healthy snack!

Category: Other Stuff