Ingredients
- Rice paper wrappers: These delicate, translucent sheets are the foundation of our rolls, providing a light and slightly chewy exterior.
- Carrots: Adds a vibrant orange color, a satisfying crunch, and a subtle sweetness.
- Cucumber: Offers a refreshing coolness and crisp texture, balancing the other flavors.
- Bell Peppers (various colors): Provides a sweet and slightly tangy flavor, along with a satisfying crunch and beautiful color variety.
- Avocado: Lends a creamy richness and healthy fats to the rolls, making them more satisfying.
- Lettuce (Romaine or Butter): Forms a crisp and refreshing base layer inside the rolls, adding bulk and freshness.
- Fresh Mint: Provides a bright, cool, and aromatic lift, essential for that authentic fresh roll flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds a citrusy and slightly peppery note, complementing the other fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Rice Vermicelli Noodles: These thin, delicate noodles add a light and satisfying carbohydrate element without being heavy.
- Peanut Sauce (for dipping): A creamy, savory, and slightly sweet sauce that perfectly complements the fresh vegetables. (Alternatively, soy sauce based dipping sauce can be used for nut-free options).
- Sesame Seeds (optional): Adds a nutty flavor and a decorative touch when sprinkled on top.
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing all your vegetables thoroughly. Peel the carrots and cucumber. Cut the carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers into thin matchsticks or julienne strips, approximately 2-3 inches long. Avocado should be sliced thinly just before rolling to prevent browning. Wash and dry the lettuce leaves. Pick the mint and cilantro leaves from their stems.
- Cook the Vermicelli Noodles: Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package directions. Usually, this involves soaking them in boiling water for a few minutes until they are tender but still slightly firm. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: If you are making your own peanut sauce, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup (for vegan), a little water to thin, and a dash of sesame oil (optional). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If using a store-bought sauce, have it ready in a dipping bowl.
- Set up your Rolling Station: Fill a shallow dish or pie plate with warm water. This will be used to soften the rice paper wrappers. Arrange all your prepared ingredients – vegetables, noodles, herbs, avocado – on a clean work surface or cutting board, making it easy to access them while rolling.
- Soften the Rice Paper: Take one rice paper wrapper and quickly dip it into the warm water, rotating it to ensure it is evenly moistened. Don’t soak it for too long, just a few seconds, as it will continue to soften as you work. Remove the softened rice paper and place it flat on your clean work surface.
- Assemble the Roll: Working quickly while the rice paper is still pliable, place a lettuce leaf near the bottom third of the rice paper wrapper, leaving a border around the edges. On top of the lettuce, arrange a small handful of vermicelli noodles, followed by a selection of your prepared vegetables (carrots, cucumber, bell peppers), avocado slices, mint leaves, and cilantro leaves. Be mindful not to overfill the roll, as it will be harder to close.
- Roll the Rice Paper Roll: To roll, fold the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper up and over the filling, tucking it in tightly. Then, fold in the sides of the wrapper, like you are folding a burrito. Finally, continue rolling upwards tightly until you reach the top edge, sealing the roll.
- Repeat and Serve: Repeat steps 5-7 with the remaining rice paper wrappers and ingredients until you have used up all the ingredients or have made the desired number of rolls.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, you can sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the finished rolls for added flavor and visual appeal. Cut the rolls in half diagonally, if preferred, for easier dipping and serving. Serve immediately with the prepared peanut dipping sauce or your choice of dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g