Crisp & Colorful Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Delight in the vibrant freshness and crunch of these vegetarian spring rolls, brimming with a selection of colorful vegetables and delicate bean thread noodles. Perfect as a refreshing appetizer or a complement to your favorite Asian-inspired dishes, these rolls are not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients. They are easy to prepare ahead of time and can be served with a variety of delicious dipping sauces, allowing for personalization in flavor. Indulge in a light, cleansing bite that celebrates the bounty of fresh produce. Originally inspired by Healthy Weeknight Meals, this recipe elevates your snacking experience with a myriad of textures and tastes.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
2 large (julienned)
Green Onions
2-3 (julienned)
Sweet Red Pepper
1/2 (julienned)
Napa Cabbage
1/3 cup (thinly sliced)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon
Fresh Cilantro
1/4 cup (minced or to taste)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Sea Salt
1 pinch
Dried Bean Thread Noodles
3 ounces (1 package)
Rice Paper Rounds
16 (softened (8-inch, see note))
Fresh Thai Basil or Mint
1/8 cup (slivered)
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon
Dark Sesame Oil
1 teaspoon
Rice Vinegar
2 tablespoons
Peanut Oil
1 tablespoon
Hot Sesame Oil
1/2 teaspoon
Minced Garlic
1/2 teaspoon (I use 2 cloves)
Sugar
1 pinch
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the julienned carrots, green onions, napa cabbage, olive oil, minced cilantro, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated.
2
Allow the mixture to marinate at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to enhance the flavors.
3
While the vegetable mixture is marinating, prepare the bean thread noodles. Place the noodles in a medium bowl and cover them with boiling water. Soak for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are softened.
4
Once softened, drain the noodles well and snip them into 2-inch pieces. Set aside to cool.
5
To assemble the spring rolls, fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip a rice paper round into the water for about 10 seconds, or until it becomes soft and translucent. Remove it and let it drain on a clean dish towel.
6
Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled bean thread noodles and about 2 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture about 1 inch from the lower edge of the softened rice paper round.
7
Sprinkle fresh Thai basil or mint leaves over the filling.
8
Carefully fold the bottom edge of the rice paper over the filling, then fold in both sides, and roll up tightly from the bottom to the top. Press the edges to seal securely.
9
Place each finished spring roll seam side down on a plate and cover them with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
10
Refrigerate the assembled spring rolls for 10 minutes, or you can prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate for several hours.
11
For dipping sauces, in a small bowl, mix together the reduced-sodium soy sauce and dark sesame oil. In another bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut oil, hot sesame oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of sugar until combined.
12
Serve the spring rolls chilled with your choice of dipping sauces.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crisp & Colorful Vegetarian Spring Rolls?
These are fresh, vegetarian spring rolls filled with colorful vegetables like carrots and cabbage, along with bean thread noodles, served with flavorful dipping sauces.
Are these spring rolls vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be vegetarian and is packed with fresh produce.
What type of noodles are used in the filling?
The recipe uses three ounces of dried bean thread noodles.
How do I prepare the bean thread noodles?
Place the noodles in a bowl, cover with boiling water, soak for 10 minutes until softened, then drain and snip into 2-inch pieces.
What vegetables are included in the vegetable mixture?
The mixture includes julienned carrots, green onions, and sweet red pepper, along with thinly sliced napa cabbage.
How should the vegetables be marinated?
Combine the carrots, green onions, and napa cabbage with olive oil, minced cilantro, sea salt, and black pepper, then let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
What herbs can be used in the rolls?
You can use either slivered fresh Thai basil or fresh mint leaves.
How do I soften the rice paper rounds?
Dip each rice paper round into a bowl of warm water for about 10 seconds until it becomes soft and translucent.
What size rice paper is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 8-inch rice paper rounds.
How many spring rolls does this recipe make?
The recipe calls for 16 rice paper rounds, implying it makes 16 spring rolls.
How much filling goes into each roll?
Use about 2 tablespoons of cooled bean thread noodles and 2 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture per roll.
How do you roll the spring rolls?
Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold in both sides, and roll tightly from bottom to top, pressing the edges to seal.
Should the spring rolls be served immediately?
They should be refrigerated for at least 10 minutes before serving, though they can be prepared several hours in advance.
How do I prevent the spring rolls from drying out?
Place them seam side down on a plate and cover them tightly with plastic wrap.
What is in the simple soy dipping sauce?
The simple sauce is a mix of reduced-sodium soy sauce and dark sesame oil.
What ingredients are in the complex dipping sauce?
This sauce contains soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut oil, hot sesame oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of sugar.
Are these spring rolls served hot or cold?
These are fresh spring rolls served chilled.
Is there garlic in this recipe?
Yes, minced garlic (about 2 cloves) is used in one of the dipping sauces.
What type of vinegar is used for the dipping sauce?
The recipe specifies using rice vinegar.
Can I use hot sesame oil?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of hot sesame oil in one of the dipping sauce options.
What kind of cabbage is used?
The recipe calls for thinly sliced Napa cabbage.
How should the carrots and onions be prepared?
Both the carrots and green onions should be julienned into thin strips.
Is there any sugar in the recipe?
A pinch of sugar is added to the whisked dipping sauce to balance the flavors.
What oil is used in the vegetable marinade?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for the marinade.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, they can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator for several hours.
What is the flavor profile of these rolls?
They are described as vibrant, fresh, and light with a mix of crunchy textures and savory sauces.
How much cilantro is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of minced fresh cilantro, or to taste.
Is this a healthy snack option?
Yes, they are described as nutrient-packed, light, and a celebration of fresh produce.
What is the origin or inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Healthy Weeknight Meals.
What should I do with the rice paper after dipping it in water?
Remove it from the water and let it drain on a clean dish towel before adding the filling.