Sunday, February 19, 2012

Rainbow Spring Rolls - Vegetarian


I have to confess to not eating so well lately, all the packing is cutting into my kitchen time.  What I have been truly craving was something quick and healthy.  Have you ever sat there staring at something you made and thought, "What the heck am I going to call it?"  If it hadn't been for the rainbow of veggies staring back at me on the plate, I may have had to call these Rolled Up Veggie Whatchamacallits or Whatchamwhosits.


In between packing boxes I tossed a few of these tasty rolls back for fuel.  Hot Dog Dude willingly ate them with me, but I could tell he would have preferred something else.  He's a hard core meat kinda guy.  I admit it; I'm kind of a mean wife sometimes.  I'm always nagging him about what he eats and nudging him towards healthier choices.  I thought he was going to lose it when I lectured him on the lunch meat he was stuffing down his face the other day.  He snapped back, "What else am I supposed to eat?"

He tends to be the kinda guy who wants to eat the same thing all the time.  I only nag him so he can add a little variety to his diet.  One can't live by lunch meat alone, well actually Hot Dog Dude could - hence the name.

Gather the following:
Leaf lettuce
Asparagus, washed, ends trimmed and blanched
Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Blueberries
Rice paper spring roll wrappers

Prepare Sushi Rice:
For rice maker:  2 scoops medium grain rice and water filled to the second line
Or saucepan:  1 1/2 cups rice and 3 cups water

Seasoned rice vinegar mixture
3 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Would you still love me if I told you I'm terrible at making rice?  If it wasn't for one of my favorite kitchen appliances the rice maker, we would probably still be eating burned rice.


I love throwing the water and rice in, pushing the button and walking away.

When the rice is finished steaming, open the lid and let it cool down for 5 minutes or so.  Combine the seasoned rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and microwave for 40 seconds or so until the sugar is melted.  Place the rice in a baking dish, pour the vinegar mixture over it and gently stir the rice with your paddle to coat the rice, you want to be careful not to break up the rice. Leave it on the counter until its cool enough to work with.

To soften the spring roll wrappers use a squirt bottle.  Spray both sides and shake of the excess water.  Place the wrapper on a plate and put a piece of lettuce in the middle.  Place a row of rice on top of that; add some carrot, bell pepper and asparagus.  Drizzle with fresh lemon juice or I used a special Meyer Lemon Olive Oil I picked up last time I was in San Francisco.


Before I rolled them up, I placed a row of blueberries in a strategic location:


Grab the wrapper side that is in front of you and start rolling tucking in the sides as you go.  I threw the blueberries in for a little extra crunch and anti-oxidants, plus I had seen Kim's Blueberry Waffles and Sandra's Blueberry Mousse that really put me in the mood for some blueberries.


Before you go thinking I'm the worst wife ever for making her husband go meatless for an afternoon, I actually made him something special the next day that was right up his alley.  I'll share his idea of an ideal lunch with you in a couple days.

p.s.  Hot Dog Dude doesn't know about his nickname, should I clue him in or just keep giggling about it behind his back.  So wrong, huh?

Enjoy,

Gina

26 comments:

  1. I swear that first photo looks alive :)

    I'm loving that roll whatever you decide to call it.

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  2. These have to be the cutest spring rolls I have ever seen; those blueberries are a great addition
    Rita

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  3. Men are weird about food. Mine will happily work his way through an entire bag of chips for the simple reason that he is too lazy to make a sandwich, even if we have the cold cuts. I don't get them. I'd be all over these spring rolls. They look absolutely amazing and delicious. Rainbow fits them well.

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  4. Beautiful, Gina - the blueberries were a welcome surprise. And husband will live and even come around - my husband is just discovering the beauty of vegetables and yes, there can be too much protein.

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  5. Oh the blueberries are such a creative touch. Your pictures are so bright and colorful. Much needed this cold morning in the East. They look yummy!

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  6. I never would have thought to add blueberries, but it's genius! Gorgeous photos! And I think all bloggers' husbands deserve special nick names :)

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  7. These are so gorgeous! And I love that you added blueberries! I would never have thought to do it, but I have got to try this immediately.

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  8. These look gorgeous - I love the asparagus in them, and I am beyond intrigued by the addition of blueberries. Wow! :)

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  9. These are just beautiful and how cool to add the blueberries. My question is how do you get them rolled up so nicley. Mine always look ragged. Love yours!!

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  10. These are beautiful!! i'll definitely try them!

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  11. Thanks everyone.
    Suzi, I have done quite a few over the years, so maybe I'm a little faster at them, but just keep trying and try and hold them as tight as possible as you roll. Sometimes I get ugly ones, and I eat those just the same.
    -Gina-

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  12. LOL :D My husband wouldn't go near these with a 10 foot pole! He loves roasted or grilled veggies, but not something so, - as he would say - "vegetably" and raw ;) On the other hand, I LOVE dishes like this! Absolutely yummy! And I love that you've added blueberries and asparagus! How interesting... Must try this one! Thanks, Gina!

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  13. I'm so glad Maureen said it first, 'cause I totally saw SOMETHING with a blueberry eye sportin' two-tone red/orange lipstick...like a friendly eel! And I hate eels, but I like this friendly veggie one. LOLOL! Very creative! Nice job!

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  14. Gina dear, your roll look amazing! Very unique combo but so pretty..you are also so brave for keeping your hubs meatless, you would find mine in the fridge for sure digging when I am not looking LOL! Beautiful job, and lovely photos too!

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  15. Gina, I sure adore those rainbow rolls. You have been eating lots of healthy stuff, haven't you! Good for you.

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  16. Gina,
    These rolls are absolutely amazing, such bright flavors and colors. My sous chef, would eat this in a minute, but would need some protein to go with it. I love the addition of the blueberries!

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  17. See? You're still packing even in the food line. This looks so healthy with such an unusual combination with the blueberries. Good luck with the boxes.

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  18. Packing? Where are you going? See, I haven't been here for so long that I don't even know what's going on with you! But one thing I DO know...everytime I come here, there's going to be something delicious being posted. That includes this sushi rice-roll whatchamacallits! I have every ingredient to make this (yes, even the blueberries!) so I just might have some of these for breakfast :). Miss you loads, Gina!

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  19. I love spring rolls, but they are so expensive at our local supermarket, in the seafood isle, where it's made fresh every day by Asian sushi chefs.
    Your spring rolls just blows them away...big time. The addition of the blueberries are totally different, but why not?...anything goes with veggies!
    Love it, Gina:DDD
    It's amazing you have time to make these yummy rolls in the midst of all that packing!

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  20. Nah, keep the nickname from him. It's funnier that way :) I'm a mean wife too. What is it with man thinking they can only survive on the garbage they want to eat all the time. I also get on my hubby's case about eating less meat and more fresh fruit and vegetables. Luckily he just eats what I put in front of him, even if he doesn't like it :)

    I love the name of your spring rolls and all the healthy goodies you put in them. Blueberries are such a unique but great idea. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see Hot Dog Dude's meal :)

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  21. This roll looks wonderful. I wish I could have one of those now. So many fresh ingredients and of course the ones in CA taste much better and riper.:-) I would definitely prefer this to hot dog but I know I am not the hot dog dude.;-)
    Are you sure he doesn't read your blog?!

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  22. These are wonderful! I love that you added blueberries...such a treat!
    I want at least 2 :)

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  23. "Nagging" is the way we show our love! And, I could eat these colorful, healthy rolls all day. And you're really not a meanie - I saw what you made Hot Dog Dude to make up for his having to eat so many vegetables ;)

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  24. Beautiful and healthful looking. And such a mix of fruit and veggies. A true treat for the warmer days ahead.

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  25. these look so beautiful and fresh! yum!

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  26. Nothing to be ashamed of, the rice cooker is the best way to make rice. Love the idea of putting blueberries in the rolls. Kinda of like a salad on the go.

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