Monday, September 13, 2010

My own end of summer rolls

Summer roll? Spring roll? I’m not about to get into a debate about authenticity, because I think the only authentic thing I can make is banana pudding and I don’t want to. Okay, I want to, but I’m not going to. Yet.

So, the last time I was at Loving Cafe (new review coming soon, I hope) they ran out of summer rolls just before I ordered. As in, they had three left and the people in front of me ordered all three. I saw them flash before my eyes.

But I’ve seen people all over making their own, so I figured I should, too.

How difficult could it be?

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I think I can work on my technique, but I started to get the hang of it as I went along.

You may already know, but for all the beginners out there, the wrappers are stiff and you soak them in warm water and they become sticky and pliable.

In these guys, I put:

  • broiled tofu slices, marinated in soy sauce and ginger
  • rice noodles, tossed with sushi vinegar
  • thinly sliced cucumbers
  • thinly sliced carrots
  • romaine
  • shredded basil and mint

And I made a quick sauce of almond butter and hoisin, whisked together with a little water to thin it slightly and some sambal oelek for heat.

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Easy enough, and delicious. Who cares if Loving Cafe sold their last three right in front of me? I can do for myself.

Do you try to make things you have in restaurants? Do you have success?

8 comments:

  1. I adore summer rolls. That was almost dinner tonight at our house. I think yours look great. You are right they do get easier the more you make them.

    I love to make things I have had in restaurants. That is where many of my ideas come from. I have been cooking long enough that my experiements normally work out the way I want them to. Cooking is nothing but practice like most things in life.

    Ali

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  2. Looks good! My spring rolls usually end up lumpy and misshapen, but who cares? They're still delicious!

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  3. YUM! I make these all the time but yours look way more gourmet than mine! Just to throw a spanner in the works, I don't call them spring or summer rolls - but cold rolls :D And they are tasty!

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  4. This looks great! I love spring rolls..they look so complicated but are actually really easy to make.

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  5. They're summer rolls and I love them too. Gorgeous pics!

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  6. Looks like a pro made those rolls! You did a great job, and they do look delish! I haven't even thought about tackling those yet. I'll have to now though...yours looks fantastic!

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  7. These look so perfect! They look as good or better than ones you'd get in a restaurant. Your pics are fantastic too!

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