Do I have a fun Easter meal idea for you! Okay, wait stop, this doesn’t feel right. All these Easter posts as of late and I’m trying to find a way to fit this recipe in. The truth is that it isn’t shaped as an egg, it doesn’t look like a bunny, and it’s not filled with sugar. BUT you can’t live off of sugar alone (and the Universe knows that I need a break every once in a while with baking!) so this is quite timely..and quite delicious too! (I cannot get enough of these). These Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls (with a Peanut Dipping Sauce) might even be the treat to leave the Easter Bunny the night before…
That’s not a bad idea, really. I think I’m going to start a tradition of that when I start having kids. I mean come on, bunnies gotta love Spring Rolls too, right? I will mark that down as another genius idea by yours truly (read sarcasm here).
*Please note the ingredients for the Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls are approximate, simply based off of preference. Feel free to add or decrease as you please.
Yield:
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These spring rolls are a light yet filling dinner idea for those nights you don’t want to cook but need a quick and easy entrée.
Ingredients
- 6 rice paper sheets
- approx. 1 c. soaked bean threads (place dry threads into a bowl and pour hot water over them. Allow to soak for 5 minutes).
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 c. red leaf lettuce (or lettuce of choice)
- 1/4 c. cilantro
Instructions
- Following the instructions in the post, place the noodles, carrots, and cucumber on the soaked rice paper.
- Place the lettuce and cilantro on top.
- Roll from the side closest to you, folding over the left and right side halfway through (again, please consult the post for the full directions).
- Repeat until each roll has been made.
Notes
- Makes 6 rolls, serves 2.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Dip every side of the rice paper in a bowl of hot water until it is completely wet. Do not immerse it too long otherwise it will be too sticky and difficult to work with–all it really needs is a couple of seconds in the water. Place the paper on a cutting board.
Put the noodles, chopped carrots and cucumber in the middle towards the side closest to you. There is no need to stuff these with too many goodies. A little goes a long way. For my personal preference, I like to put about three sticks of carrots and cucumbers in each roll.
Place five or so lettuce leaves and a generous tablespoon (again, depends of preference) of cilantro on top. You are now ready to roll this baby. Ready? Here we go!
Okay this part is super easy so don’t feel intimidated. Take the side closest to you and pull it over the stuffin’, making sure that the edge reaches around to the other side of the goodies, securing them in its place. The paper should be sticky enough where it will stay put.
Take the left side and fold it over. Repeat with the right side. You are on your way to making your own Spring Roll burrito! Chipotle will be calling you, it’s only a matter of time…
Finish the rolling by…well, rolling it completely. You, my friend, are an official Spring Roller. Hooray!
Here are your ingredients for the Spicy Peanut Dipping sauce:
Prep Time:Description
Spicy with a hint of sweetness, this is the perfect dipping sauce for your fresh spring rolls.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. peanut butter (almond or sunbutter works too)
- 1/4 c. rice vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. gluten-free soy sauce
- 2–3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. garlic chili sauce
- 1–2 Tbsp. nondairy milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients (except for the nondairy milk) together until smooth. Add the milk last by the tablespoon and adjust to the correct creamy consistency that you particularly like. Also adjust flavors according to preference (ie: does it need more sweetness? more spicy? etc.)
Notes
- Yields approx. 1/4 c. per person
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
It’s time again to sing that song. Oh yeah, you know where I am going with this. Let the dipping begin!
When I dip, you dip, we dip…
Happy Spring Rolling, friends!
Phillys
September 1, 2014 at 1:22 pmWhat a great find for Meatless Monday! We added avocado. I also omitted the milk from the sauce because I did not have any, but it was still fabulous! I think cardboard would be good with that sauce!
Bree
May 24, 2014 at 11:32 pmI just stumbled on your blog – I am LOVING it!! These rolls look simply delish, and the photos are gorgeous! Do you know if these would freeze well? I’m always needing something healthy to grab when I get home late from work! Thanks in advance! 🙂
Cara
May 27, 2014 at 6:50 amHi Bree! Thank you so much for your kindness, I’m so happy that you have found this little space over here 🙂 About freezing these, I really don’t think they would do well. I foresee the rice paper getting yucky from the defrosting. The good news is that the peanut sauce is make-ahead-able, you can have your veggies and noodles prepared and ready to go, and at least they are really easy to assemble. Hope this helps! xo
Bree
May 27, 2014 at 6:56 amThanks for your response, Cara! Now that i think about it, you’re totally right about the soggified rice paper! Yeesh! Ah well, as you said I can just prep everything else. I am STOKED to make these, these and just about every other item that this space is tempting me to try!
Thanks again! 😀
Cara
May 27, 2014 at 6:58 amAt least they are easy to throw together, right? And they are just the right amount of food for those late nights where you don’t want to stuff your face right before bed. I hope you like them! Let me know what you end up doing 😉 xo
Kat
April 17, 2014 at 3:52 pmI have been wanting to get into making my own salad/spring rolls, thank you so much for posting this yummy-looking recipe & tutorial! 😀
Beeph Wellington
April 14, 2014 at 1:47 pmThis is rather fortuitous. I bought some sheets the other day with the intent of making spring rolls, but I hadn’t found a recipe I liked yet. I was working on a combination of several. I bought vermicelli based on one recipe so I’ll substitute the bean noodles for that. Mine will also have mint and basil. These look great!
Cara
April 15, 2014 at 2:04 pmThe Universe just knew 🙂 xo
Baby June
April 13, 2014 at 3:06 pmOMG I love spring rolls + peanut sauce! That is a combination on par with PB + chocolate and PB + jelly…oh wait maybe peanut butter just goes with everything. Well, it goes fabulously with vegetables, that’s for darn sure.
Becky
April 13, 2014 at 10:32 amI always add avocado to mine and push it over the top of yummy.
stephanissima
April 13, 2014 at 9:35 amHey Cara, look over there! It’s Superman!
::quickly eats spring roll::
Oh, did you miss seeing him? Maybe next time…
Elisa
April 13, 2014 at 12:53 amHAHAHA…I love that your trying to fit this in somehow with the easter posts. But you know what > they have carrots in them and you know who eats carrots? 😉 Yeah, right the easter bunny does 😀
Love your recipe, perfect light spring treat!
Shannon
April 12, 2014 at 7:07 pmI finally made these another day in my cooking class! So easy and you can nicely customize them too!
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:59 pmIsn’t it funny how we shy away from foods we think would be time-consuming and then end up being simple, easy and so great?! Glad that you have found your rollin’ groove 😉
Ana
April 12, 2014 at 4:55 pmHey Cara – what ARE bean threads? It looks like thin rice pasta.
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:53 pmHi Ana 🙂 Bean threads are cellophane noodles made from a starch, like mung bean or yam… They are tasty and super easy to “cook.” Here is a link to Amazon just to give you a looksy: http://www.amazon.com/Dynasty-SaiFun-Threads-Noodles-5-29-Ounce/dp/B000H27I5G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397364756&sr=8-2&keywords=bean+threads
Randi (laughfrodisiac)
April 12, 2014 at 2:10 pmSalad rolls are my faaavorite! I will definitely be trying this sauce.
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:58 pmI don’t why it has taken me this long to finally make my own because they really ARE the best, aren’t they???
Your Biggest Fan!
April 12, 2014 at 2:00 pmThese looks so good! I wonder if I can even find bean threads or rice paper in this area – in this state?! I’d like to try this.
This reminded my of an egg roll I used to make (it’s been a loooooong time-(yes, I do -did- know how to cook) 🙂
Love the dipping sauce. Did you use crunchy pb? Does it need the brown sugar? Would it be ok without it?
XOXOXOX
Your Biggest Fan!
April 12, 2014 at 2:03 pm“These looks”! Duh! See what happens when I’m hungry? – I sound like an idiot……………don’t say it! :-0
XOXOXOX
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:58 pmMan, do I love this woman, folks! So happy to talk with you today. Don’t worry either. I won’t tell the other siblings how you admitted that I am your favorite. Your secret is safe with me 😉
Your Biggest Fan!
April 13, 2014 at 9:38 amWhy am I not surprised you had to sneak that “favorite” thing in there? 🙂
Loved our talk!
And, P.S. I have the bean threads saved to my Amazon wish list…just in case.
XOXOXOX
Cat
April 12, 2014 at 1:54 pmGreat idea – we made them today and spiralized our veggies. A lot of fun! I should have believed you about only wetting the rice paper sheets. What I found is – if I really did follow your instructions – as the sheets sat on the cutting board, they got to be just the right consistency for rolling. Didn’t have bean threads, but made an Asian flavored hummus to put inside. Cheated – because I spent a lot of time making the veggies – and used a bottled gluten free Thai spicy peanut sauce. Also had some mango wasabi sauce on hand, as well as mango coconut. We sat out on the screened deck, eating lunch,listening to the birds. What a glorious day! Thanks for your suggested meal!
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:57 pmI was totally with you in spirit as I read this comment. A glorious day, indeed! So glad you were able to find a good variation to suit for your preferences. Sounded yummy! 🙂
Kim
April 12, 2014 at 10:08 amMy husband and I would eat these in a heart beat! He’s Sri Lankan, so we make a ton of Asian dishes, but for some reason we don’t do spring rolls often. I can’t believe how easy these look! Totally making them for him as a surprise. 🙂
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:55 pmNow THAT is a good woman! Hope you and he likes them, xo…
Hippy mom
April 12, 2014 at 8:50 amLooks delicious. I cannot currently have your chili sauce
due to Gastro- problems. But i can have veggies and leaves always. Much love, one love with positive intent to you have a beautiful weekend.
hippymomelizabeth
April 12, 2014 at 9:09 amMade your pancakes last night as well. Delicious…
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:54 pmYAY!!! So happy you liked them! xo
Cara
April 12, 2014 at 9:55 pmBig bummer! I love me some spicy but it doesn’t always love me either :/ I should be better about listening to my body like you. ha! Thank you so much for the intention–I’m definitely sending you that right at you 🙂 xo
Megan
April 15, 2014 at 9:01 amIf you can’t have soy sauce you can use Braggs Aminos, Tamari, or even Worcestershire! But maybe it’s the garlic. Did you know that soy sauce is fermented with wheat?