“I am Gratitude” Veggie Summer Rolls

These are one of the greatest imaginable crowd pleasers at parties and events, making a show-stopping presentation, and of course, they are ultra delicious and healthy too. Once you make them once, you will have the groove and it gets easier. The key is prepping all you need so it is all within reach when you start assembling these, which the French refer to as mise en place. Check out Asian markets for these and other fun, interesting ingredients, like enoki mushrooms that can stick out dramatically. Along with tofu, hemp seeds are a great add as well, incorporating additional complete protein, so these can be a main course allow with miso soup and a plate of edamame, green soybeans steamed in their pods.

Spring roll ingredients:

20, 9 inch rice paper wrappers
8 ounces maifun rice noodles, soaked in hot water and drained
1 package seasoned or braised tofu, thinly sliced (optional)
Several cups of mixed organic baby greens
2 ripe, perfect avocados, sliced
2 cups organic orange, red and yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 organic hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced
1 package seasoned or braised tofu, thinly sliced (optional)
2 cups organic broccoli slaw
2 cups organic carrots, shredded
2 cups organic purple cabbage, shredded
2 cups mung bean sprouts
One bunch each organic basil, cilantro and mint, washed and chopped, leaves only

Creamy Peanut-Ginger Dipping Sauce ingredients:

1 cup organic peanut butter
1/4 cup apple cider or unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup shoyu or coconut aminos
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
Warm Water to thin

Directions:

To make sauce, blend all items together with a small wire whisk, thinning to desired consistency.

For rolls, place various filling items in bowls around your work space. Working with one rice paper at a time, submerge in a large, shallow bowl of water for a few seconds. Remove rice paper from water and place on your work surface. Layer even amounts of each of your filling ingredients on lower third of the paper, leaving room on each side so you can tuck edges in before completing the roll up, ideally ending up with a sealed package. This gets easier with practice. Serve with sauce and enjoy!

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