Rainbow Spring Rolls (Vegan, Under 30 Minutes) | Live Eat Learn

How to make Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing

Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut are a visually stunning and delicious appetizer or light meal that can be enjoyed any time of year. They are called “rainbow” due to the vibrant array of vegetables and sometimes fruits that are wrapped in translucent rice paper, resulting in a beautiful spectrum of colors that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.

The concept of Rainbow Spring Rolls draws inspiration from traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, which are often filled with a combination of cooked shrimp, vermicelli noodles, and various fresh herbs and vegetables. For Rainbow Spring Rolls, the emphasis is on a wide variety of colorful raw or lightly blanched vegetables, which can include lettuce, purple cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and avocado, alongside fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, or basil.

Creating Rainbow Spring Rolls involves soaking the rice paper wrappers in warm water until they are pliable, laying them flat, and then neatly arranging the ingredients in a row across the center. Each roll is tightly wrapped, tucking in the ends to secure the contents. The process does require a bit of finesse to keep the contents snugly wrapped while being careful not to tear the delicate rice paper.

To complement the fresh taste and texture of these rolls, they are commonly served with a flavorful dipping sauce. The Ginger Peanut Dressing is a perfect match with its bold flavors that contrast and enhance the fresh crispness of the roll’s fillings. This dressing typically combines peanut butter with ingredients like ginger, garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey or agave for sweetness. It might be thinned out with a bit of warm water to achieve the desired consistency for dipping.

The Rainbow Spring Rolls can be adapted to suit various dietary needs and preferences, whether you require gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options. Rice papers are inherently gluten-free and the vegetable filling caters to plant-based diets. For those allergic to peanuts, an alternative nut or seed butter can be used in the dressing.

Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing recipe

Rainbow Spring Rolls (Vegan, Under 30 Minutes) | Live Eat Learn

Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing

Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut Dressing are a fresh and flavorful option for an appetizer or light meal. These visually appealing rolls are packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, sometimes fruits, and herbs tightly wrapped in translucent rice paper, giving rise to their "rainbow" moniker. The ingredients can include lettuce, purple cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, avocado, mint, cilantro, or basil.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine French
Servings 8 serving
Calories 226 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan
  • 1 medium mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

SPRING ROLLS

  • 8 rice spring roll papers
  • 1 medium beet skin removed and thinly grated
  • 1 large bunch mint leaves
  • 1/2 yellow and red pepper seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup carrots thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe mango peel and cut into cubes
  • 1 large bunch cilantro cut from stems
  • 8 oz. extra-firm tofu or cooked vermicelli noodles

GINGER PEANUT SAUCE

  • 1/2 cup salted natural peanut
  • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or to taste
  • 1/2 medium lime juiced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce tamari
  • 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
  • 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger optional
  • Warm water to thin

Instructions
 

  • Properly prepare the vegetable and set them aside.
  • Pour 3 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly for cooking rice papers.
  • Meanwhile prepare the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl except water and whisk well until mixed. The sauce should be pourable. Set aside.
  • Add hot water in a skillet and then submerge the rice paper and let it soften for 20 seconds, don’t let the water to be too hot and don’t let it over stay in the water, so that it will be easy to work with.
  • Remove from the hot water and transfer to a chopping board and gently smooth out into a circle.
  • Add carrots, beets, mango, peppers, and a good handful each mint and cilantro. Fold bottom over the fillings, then gently roll over once and then fold in the sides to seal, then roll until completely sealed. Place on a serving plate and top with a room temperature damp towel to keep fresh.
  • Repeat process with remaining until no more topping it yield about 8serving Serve immediately
  • with dipping sauce. Enjoy!
  • Store the leftovers in a container with a lid and keep in the fridge and use within 3 days
Keyword Ginger, Peanut, spring roll papers

Cooking Tips about Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing

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  • Vegetable Prep: Ensure all your vegetables are washed, dried, and sliced into matchstick-sized pieces for uniformity. This not only makes the rolling process easier but also ensures that each bite has a consistent mix of flavors and textures.
  • Hydrating Rice Paper: Be gentle when soaking the rice paper wrappers. Dip them in warm water just until they are pliable; usually, a few seconds will do. They will continue to soften as you work. Lay them out on a clean, damp kitchen towel to prevent sticking and tearing.
  • Do Not Overstuff: It can be tempting to load up on the fillings, but overfilling can make the rolls difficult to wrap tightly. A modest amount of filling will yield a neater roll that holds together well.
  • Roll Tightly: After placing the fillings, roll the wrapper snugly around the vegetables to ensure they stay compact and the rolls don’t fall apart when eaten. Fold in the sides towards the middle before finishing the roll.
  • Sauce Consistency: For your Ginger Peanut Dressing, aim for a consistency that is thick enough to cling to the rolls but fluid enough for easy dipping. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little warm water.
  • Flavor Balance: The Ginger Peanut Dressing should have a good balance between sweet, savory, and acidic notes. Taste and adjust your seasoning, perhaps adding more lime juice for tanginess or honey/agave for sweetness, depending on your preference.
  • Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or cilantro for an aromatic lift that complements the veggies’ crunch. Herbs can change the profile of the rolls dramatically, so choose based on the overall flavor you’re aiming for.
  • Plating: Serve the spring rolls on a plate with the sauce on the side, or drizzle the sauce over the rolls for a more enhanced flavor and presentation.
  • Customization: Feel free to customize the ingredients inside the rolls according to your taste or dietary preferences. You could include tofu, shrimp, or mushrooms for added protein if desired.
  • Advance Preparation: If making ahead of time, cover the rolls with a slightly damp cloth and then plastic wrap to keep the rice papers from drying out. It’s best to enjoy them fresh, but they can be refrigerated for a few hours.

Serving suggestions about Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing

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  • Appetizer Platter: Present Rainbow Spring Rolls on a platter as an appetizer for parties or family gatherings. Arrange them neatly with the Ginger Peanut Dressing in a small bowl for dipping. Garnish with extra chopped herbs for a fresh appearance.
  • Light Lunch: Serve the rolls as a light, refreshing lunch. Accompany them with a side of Thai-style mango salad or a small bowl of miso soup to complete the meal with complementary Asian-inspired flavors.
  • Summer Picnic: Bring these rolls to a picnic; they’re easy to eat with your hands and don’t require reheating. Pair with a chilled noodle salad tossed in a sesame dressing for a satisfying outdoor meal.
  • Healthy Snack: Cut the rolls into smaller pieces and serve them as finger food. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the burst of color and flavor as a mid-afternoon snack.
  • Dinner Starter: Begin a larger meal by offering Rainbow Spring Rolls as a starter. Follow with a main dish that contrasts their cool freshness, like a warm curry or grilled protein.
  • Interactive Meal: Set up a “make-your-own” spring roll station where guests can fill their rice paper with their preferred mix of veggies and herbs. This encourages interaction and ensures everyone gets their favorites.
  • Pair with Beverages: Match the rolls with light and crisp beverages that won’t overpower the delicate flavors. Try a sparkling white wine, a citrusy wheat beer, or for a non-alcoholic option, lemongrass-infused iced tea.
  • Post-Workout: As a post-workout meal, the rolls offer a combination of carbohydrates from the rice paper and an array of nutrients from the fresh vegetables, along with the protein in the peanut dressing, helping with muscle recovery.

Top 5 FAQs about Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut dressing

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  • What vegetables can I use in Rainbow Spring Rolls? You can use a variety of vegetables such as lettuce, purple cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and avocado. Adding colorful veggies is key to achieving the “rainbow” effect. Raw or lightly blanched vegetables are best for a crisp texture.
  • How do you prevent rice paper from tearing when making Rainbow Spring Rolls? To avoid tearing, soak the rice paper wrappers in warm water until they’re just pliable (a few seconds) and lay them on a damp kitchen towel before rolling. Handling them gently and not overstuffing with fillings also helps prevent tears.
  • Can Rainbow Spring Rolls be made in advance? Yes, they can be made a few hours ahead of time. To prevent the rice paper from drying out, cover the rolls with a slightly damp cloth and plastic wrap. However, they are best enjoyed fresh.
  • Is the Ginger Peanut Dressing vegan/gluten-free? The dressing can be made vegan by using agave instead of honey. For a gluten-free option, ensure you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. If peanut allergies are a concern, substitute peanut butter with allergy-friendly alternatives like sunflower seed butter.
  • How long does the Ginger Peanut Dressing last and how should it be stored? The dressing should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can last up to a week. Make sure to give it a good stir if any separation occurs before serving.

In conclusion, Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut Dressing are a popular choice for those seeking a healthy and vibrant appetizer or meal. Through the FAQs, we’ve learned that they can be filled with a variety of colorful vegetables and herbs, and that handling rice paper with care is crucial to avoid tearing.


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