Think summer - think colorful veggies, fresh greens and aromatic herbs. Now picture all of that wrapped up into a light, healthy and flavourful meal. These Vietnamese-style summer rolls check all the boxes!
These fresh summer rolls or salad rolls are made from delicate rice paper encasing fresh crunchy vegetables partnered with cold proteins, fresh herbs, and sometimes rice vermicelli noodles. Though rooted in Vietnamese cuisine, there are plenty of variations of summer rolls that have popped up.
I have always had a thing for spring rolls. Who doesn't love the crispy, golden, deep-fried classic? At our place, they are a staple - whether it is a casual family meal or a gathering with guests. Our domestic helper makes delicious spring rolls, and this is an appetizer I ask her to make regularly.
The only time I had the fresh translucent kind of rolls was during a holiday in Vietnam and even though I found them refreshingly different, delicious and a much healthier alternative to the deep-fried kind, I had not tried making them at home. With my current commitment to healthy eating plan going well, I felt it was high time to make these low-calorie parcels of summer goodness. I had plenty of inspiration from my brother and sister-in-law who have been making summer rolls for a while and who had recommended that I try them.
Now, a quick disclaimer: I am not entirely sure about the official culinary distinction between spring rolls and summer rolls - whether they are distinct categories or interchangeable terms (culinary purists, feel free to weigh in). But for the sake of this post, I'm sticking to the term "summer rolls". Kapish?
I had already decided on the veggies and herbs for my summer rolls, but when it came to the protein, I wanted to give tofu a little makeover - something that would really elevate it. Confession time: I am not a fan of tofu in its natural form. The texture just doesn’t do it for me, and I find it dreadfully bland. So, naturally, I had to give it a serious flavour boost before letting it anywhere near the rolls.
And since the summer rolls are rather bland by themselves, of course, I was going to make a spicy, flavour-packed dipping sauce on the side. Peanut butter and sriracha make a winning combo and together, they deliver a rich, creamy heat that hits all the right notes.
These summer rolls are highly customizable so you can add whatever veggies or greens you like. But understand that using fresh and colorful produce is paramount in summer rolls. Of course, you can use leftover ingredients like rice noodles or meat to fill your rolls but, you do want to make sure you include at least two to three elements with a crunch, like carrot, cucumber, bell peppers, bean sprouts, or lettuce. Fresh herbs will do wonders for capturing the Vietnamese fresh summer roll flavor. Just a few leaves of thai basil, mint, or cilantro can brighten up the flavor of the rolls. Also, garnishes like crushed peanuts and sesame seeds help to bring in an extra layer of flavour and texture.
Setting your ingredients up in an assembly line on your workstation is key. It makes things much easier, less messy and you can trust that you won't forget any ingredient.
Now doesn't that look appetizing?
I think that Vietnamese fresh summer rolls are one of those things that people would like to eat but always assume are too cumbersome or difficult to make at home. I won't sugar coat it - there is considerable prep involved (mostly chopping) and it does take time to assemble the rolls, but a lot of the steps can be done ahead of time and with a little bit of planning, you can get these done without feeling like being in the kitchen forever. Moreover, if you have a little help, it definitely makes things much easier. Get the partner, kids, siblings, parents, friends - whoever is around involved. Also, if it is your first time handling rice paper, you may fiddle a bit with the first few (and even destroy them!) but trust me, you will get the hang of it with a little practice.
So, if you haven't tried making these summer rolls yet, I suggest you waste no further time. My version here is a vegan and gluten-free one so I'm assuming it can cater to almost everybody right? These summer rolls can serve as a cool summertime appetizer, a wonderfully light lunch or dinner or a grab and go snack. They can be enjoyed room temperature or even cold. For all that and more, this light yet satisfying, nutritious and adaptable dish merits a place on your dinner table.
So, let's get rolling, shall we?
