This has been one of those days. Busy! I've been in and out of the house and I spent the afternoon making political calls. And in between I've jumped on and off the computer. I found myself digging through my "Healthy Foods" folder. I throw recipes I make up, need to try or just plain sounds good in this folder. I opened it today and there was my haphazard notes to make spring rolls again. Asian food is on my mind today. I'm sure it's because I started a more stringent diet and of course just the word alone makes me hungry. But really, when you think about it, summer or fresh spring rolls are very healthy. I was thinking of all the different ingredients I could use and still stay well within my calorie limitations. Any combination of the ingredients below would be delicious. Oh, and a dipping sauce. Mine has to be low-cal. Here's what I came up with...
Ingredient list:
1 package spring roll wrappers, aka rice paper
thinly sliced turkey, beef, chicken or shrimp
tofu, thinly sliced
bean sprouts
bok choy or Napa cabbage, thinly shredded
leaf lettuce
carrots, julienned
wood ear mushrooms or brown mushrooms, sliced very thin
green onions, sliced thin diagonally
fresh cilantro
fresh basil leaves
cellophane rice noodles or bean thread noodles, cooked
Dipping Sauce:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 coin fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons corn starch
2 teaspoons sugar or equivalent of Splenda, Equal, etc. (I'm using Equal :)
red pepper flakes, to taste
Stir all ingredients together in a sauce pan on medium high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool before dipping.
I could write the directions, but why when this beautiful lady can show you. Just remember to soften the wraps in a plate of warm water and work one at a time unless you have helpers. Enjoy!
By the way, if you haven't already, visit Caz's food blog. Come on...click the link and "look what Caz made".
