These Spring Rolls come with a satisfying crunch and a sweet, refreshingly mild, minty taste.
There’s this Southeast Asian restaurant near my old duplex called Mekong Cafe. I used to go there at least three times a month. Their food simply made me happy. Any time I was feeling low or exhausted from my 9 to 5, a plate of their basil fried rice and fresh spring rolls made me feel like the daily grind wasn’t all that bad. I don’t go to Mekong as much as I’d like, but when I get a hankering for their food, I’ll whip up some fried rice and a few fresh spring rolls for me and the fam.
These Vietnamese-inspired spring rolls are not like the fried variety you find at your local Chinese takeout. For one thing, they’re freshly wrapped with mostly raw (sometimes blanched) vegetables, fruit, and anything else you’d like to stuff in there. They also usually include vermicelli, a rice noodle that looks like an alien menu option from Star Trek—I love them.
For the uninitiated, I like to say that spring rolls are a sort of salad wrap. Using a rice paper wrapper, you roll in a healthy assortment of veggies. In this case, we stick with creamy avocado, some cucumbers, and carrots. Then, for a refreshingly sweet mix, we throw in mango slices and mint leaves. Add your favorite dipping sauce, and you have the perfect appetizer for your Asian feast!
Are These Spring Rolls Healthy?
I’d say they are! These rolls are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. Like I said, you’re basically eating a hand-wrapped salad. However, these spring rolls aren’t great if you’re counting your carbs. Between the rice wrapper and vermicelli noodles, this recipe isn’t exactly Paleo. That said, you could use jicama noodles instead—they’re super low-carb and have a similar texture to vermicelli. Or cut the noodles altogether and use red cabbage!
That’s A Wrap—Working With Rice Paper
I was intimidated by rice paper for the longest time. After all, it’s not exactly a staple ingredient of the Western diet. The first few times I tried making spring rolls, I ripped and tore quite a few—rice paper is super fragile! Either I’d add too much water or not enough.
Soaking the rice paper is crucial so that you can easily fold the roll. But it all comes down to timing. I’ve found that the 8- to 10-second mark per the instructions is the Goldilocks zone. Because if you oversoak the rice paper, it gets gooey and pretty much useless. And if you don’t soak it enough, it’ll crack. An 8-10 second soak? That’s “just right,” as Goldilocks likes to say.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
These spring rolls taste best the day you make them. The avocado usually browns in a day or two, and the rice wrap gets hard and chewy in the fridge. However, if you do have any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container. I’d also recommend separating the rolls with parchment paper—they tend to stick to each other.
Serving Suggestions
These spring rolls are perfect as a light lunch or appetizer. For a complete meal, consider serving these alongside a Banh Mi Sandwich, a bowl of Chicken Pho, or Thai Basil Beef
And don’t forget the sauces! You can’t go wrong with a classic Peanut Sauce For Spring Rolls. This Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is another perfect pick. Even an Asian Salad Dressing (Sesame Vinaigrette) would work.
Ingredients
- 1/2 mango sliced into strips
- 1 small cucumber sliced into strips
- 1/2 carrot sliced into strips
- 1 avocado sliced
- Mint leaves
- 1 ounce rice vermicelli noodles
- 4 sheets rice paper
Instructions
- Wash and slice the vegetables.
- Cook the rice vermicelli noodles following the instructions on the package, then let them cool.
- Fill a large bowl with warm water and dip one piece of rice paper into the water for about 8-10 seconds, until it becomes soft and pliable.
- Place the softened rice paper on a clean surface and layer your ingredients in the center of it. Start with a few pieces of lettuce, followed by rice noodles, mint leaves, and other vegetables.
- Carefully fold the sides of the rice paper over the filling, then fold the bottom over the filling. Roll tightly to form a spring roll.
- Serve the spring rolls with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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