3cupvegetables(Your choice like carrots bell peppers, bean sprouts, cucumber, avacado, cabbage, spinach, bibb lettuce.)
1/2cupfresh herbs(Your choice like basil, cilantro, mint, green onions.)
Instructions
cook the tofu
Drain and press a block of tofu, then cut the tofu into long strips about 1/4 inch wide about the size and shape of a French fry, then pat the strips with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. (You are basically making my tofu fries recipe, see this recipe for instructions to bake the tofu instead.)
Add enough oil to coat the bottom of a frying pan (A non-stick or cast iron frying pan works best.)
Turn the heat to medium-high and add the tofu strips and sprinkle them with salt.
Cook for about 3 minutes on each side before turning them with tongs.
Once they are cooked evenly on all sides move to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
preparing and assembling the spring rolls
Prepare the rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.
Wash and cut all of the veggies that you want into long thin strips. Wash the fresh herbs and break off any long stems.
Prepare a large shallow bowl or plate with warm water to rehydrate the rice paper wrappers.
wrapping the spring rolls
Layout off the prepared ingredients near where you are going to assemble the summer rolls.
Place a sheet of rice paper in the warm water and let it sit for about 45-60 seconds. As soon as it becomes soft, take it out of the water and lay it out flat on a clean surface.
Place about 1/4 cup of rice noodles in a long strip in the center of the paper Add about 3-4 strips of tofu and a variety of the fresh veggies and herbs that you have chosen.
Fold the right and left sides of the wrapper, then pick up the bottom of the paper and fold it up and over the middle ingredients and continue rolling upwards until it is tight.
Set aside and repeat until all are assembled and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Don't let the rice paper wrapper sit too long in the water or it will become too soft and break easier.
The rice paper will stick to itself especially when it starts to dry a little. If it gets tangled up before you can lay it flat, just dip it back into the water.
It takes a little practice learning how to roll up these summer rolls. If you mess up, just rip off the rice paper and throw it away and start with a new sheet of rice paper.
If you want a super quick and easy meal, omit the rice paper wrapper and toss everything in a bowl for a summer roll salad and drizzle it with peanut dipping sauce.