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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

LIGHT & LOCAL
Press, fold and roll this cool meal

By Carol Devenot

 •  Crowning cupcakes
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Summer rolls with shrimp and mixed vegetables make a cool hot-weather meal that requires virtually no cooking.

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Lately, the weather has been so warm, I haven't felt like cooking. But what could I make for dinner that would not require much cooking? Summer rolls came to mind.

These Vietnamese "burritos" are a cool and easy main dish that require virtually no cooking, and your family can even assemble their own. They are basically a wrap which contains mixed vegetables and bits of either pork, shrimp, vermicelli and other desired ingredients. When you get the wrapping down, you end up with a delicious surprise. Because, unlike spring rolls, they are not deep-fried, they are lower in fat and calories but long on taste.

The following recipe is a vegetarian version; however, you can use your imagination and try other ingredients in place of tofu. One of my friends, Judy Hartke, who is a personal chef, roasted a small turkey breast and paired it with shrimp. She said to make sure the shrimp is layered first so that you can see the shrimp through the transparent rice-paper wrapper.

Summer rolls are typically served with a peanut or a chili sauce. Prepared dipping sauces are readily available at Asian grocery stores and most supermarkets, or make your own.

When buying rice-paper wraps, look them over carefully to see if they are in good shape. Sometimes they are cracked or have holes in them. Always buy the largest size so that you can be generous with your fillings. When layering, make sure to firmly press down on all of the layers before wrapping it.

SUMMER ROLLS

  • 1 (12-ounce) package Vietnamese rice-paper wrappers (banh trang)

  • 8 ounces rice sticks (long-rice-type rice noodles)

  • 1 small bunch basil

  • 1 small bunch mint

  • 1 small bunch Chinese parsley or cilantro

  • 1 (12-ounce) package Taro-brand Chop Suey Mix (carrots, red cabbage, mung beans sprouts, etc.)

  • 1 (20-ounce) block firm tofu cut into 1/2 inch strips

    Soften rice paper in warm water and place between paper towels. Following the directions on the package, cook the rice sticks; drain and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside. Wash the basil, mint and parsley. Strip the leaves from the stems. Lay out rice-paper wrappers and fill with rice sticks, basil leaves, mint, parsley, chop-suey mix and tofu. Fold and roll as a burrito, tucking in the ends. Place rolls, seam side down, on a serving tray. Serve with a dipping sauce.

    Makes 20 servings.

  • Per serving: 150 calories, 2.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 7 g protein

    DIPPING SAUCE

  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter

  • 4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

  • 8 cloves garlic, minced

  • 8 green onion stalks, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable broth

  • 3/4 cup soy sauce or hoisin sauce

  • 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

  • 1/2 cup brown rice syrup or other desired natural sweetener

  • 3/4 cup Chinese parsley or cilantro, chopped

  • Hot sauce to taste

    Combine above ingredients and mix until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Makes about 3 cups of sauce.

  • Per serving (made with soy sauce): 35 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 275 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 1 g protein. Made with hoisin: 40 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 1 g protein

    Want a local recipe lightened up? Write Light & Local, Taste Section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or taste@honoluluadvertiser.com. Carol Devenot is a Kaimuki-raised kama'aina, teacher and recipe consultant, and author of "Island Light Cuisine" (Blue Sea Publishing, paper, 2003). Learn more at www.islandlightcuisine.com.