Summer is right around the corner and a perfect recipe for those hot summer days is Sweet and Savory Summer Rolls. This seasonal and tasty recipe requires NO cooking, keeping your house as cool as a cucumber, which coincidentally you can find in these rolls. Packed with fresh local fruits and/or vegetables and served with two zesty dipping sauces, these make a great lunch, snack or dinner. These crunchy bites are rolled up in rice paper, making them as aesthetically pleasing as they are delicious. Not only are these fresh rolls sure to “wow” at a dinner party, but they are fun to make with the whole family. Everyone loves to get involved creating their favorite combination of fruit, vegetables or both. Practice seasonality by switching up the produce with whatever is available at your local farm stand or farmers’ market.
Our Philmont Teens served these at the Philmont Cooperative Grand Opening and they were a real crowd pleaser! The teens practiced prepping the rolls one week, then the following week, made and served these to their community. The rolls showcased the teens precise knife skills and creativity. Some of the teens even named this recipe their all-time favorite from the class. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Savory Summer Rolls
Makes 8-12 rolls
Ingredients
1 avocado, sliced
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced into ¼” matchsticks
½ cucumber, peeled and sliced into ¼” matchsticks
1 small head of lettuce, inner leaves only
1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced into ¼” matchsticks
4-5 small radishes, sliced into rounds
1 bunch basil, leaves picked
8-12 rice paper sheets, round
8 oz rice noodles, soaked
Preparation
- Prepare the rice noodles according to the directions on the package (soak in hot water 6-8 min)
- Chop all vegetables and set aside.
- In a large, wide bowl, fill halfway with warm water. Place a clean towel onto a cutting board next to the water bowl. Make sure you have all your prepared vegetables and the noodles within reach.
- Take a piece of rice paper, dunk it into the warm water and let it soak for about 30 seconds, until it softens. Be sure not to leave it in too long or it will rip.
- Once soft, carefully lay the paper onto the towel and place 2-4 pieces of each vegetable and some rice noodles into the wrapper.
- Fold the rice paper closest to the ingredients over top.
- Then fold opposite sides over the center.
Ginger, Sesame & Soy Dipping Sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
¼ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp grated ginger
1 scallion, finely chopped
Chili flakes, to taste
Combine all ingredients in a dipping bowl and gently mix until well mixed.
Sweet Summer Rolls
Makes 8-12 rolls
Ingredients
1 medium apple, sliced into ¼” matchsticks
½ mango, sliced into ¼” matchsticks
1 medium peach or pear, sliced into ¼” matchsticks
4-6 medium strawberries, sliced lengthwise
8-12 raspberries, halved
2 kiwi fruit, sliced into half-moons
1 bunch mint, leaves picked
8-12 rice paper sheets, round
8 oz. rice noodles, soaked
Preparation
1. Prepare the rice noodles according to the directions on the package (soak in hot water 6-8 min)
2. Chop all fruit and set aside.
3. In a large, wide bowl, fill halfway with warm water. Place a clean towel onto a cutting board next to the water bowl. Make sure you have all your prepared vegetables and the noodles within reach.
4. Take a piece of rice paper, dunk it into the warm water and let it soak for about 30 seconds, until it softens. Be sure not to leave it in too long or it will rip.
5. Once soft, carefully lay the paper onto the towel and place 2-4 pieces of each fruit and some rice noodles into the wrapper. Fold the rice paper closest to the ingredients over top. Then fold opposite sides over the center.
6. Finally, tightly roll down the remainder of the paper until it is fully sealed.
7. Serve alongside dipping sauce.
Honey Lime Dipping Sauce
¼ cup lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
1-3 tbsp of honey
3 tbsp of water
Combine all ingredients in a dipping bowl. Sweeten with honey as desired.
