Veggie Summer Rolls

Something fun, tasty and vegetarian! 
The sweet chili dipping sauce really sets these summer rolls off and they make for a perfect appetizer!
You will need…

  • 3 ounces Vietnamese cellophane noodles, cooked according to package directions
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1 large beet, julienned
  • 1 fresh red chile, cut in circles
  • 2 handfuls fresh cilantro, hand-torn
  • 3/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
  • 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Sea salt
  • 20 (8-inch) round rice paper wrappers
  • 40 mint leaves

Directions…

  • Put the cellophane noodles, vegetables, cilantro and peanuts in a large bowl; toss with sesame oil and lime juice to give the filling some flavor; season with salt and pepper.

  • Pour 3 cups of hot, not boiling water in a large shallow bowl. One at a time, immerse the rice paper wrappers in the hot water for 10 seconds to soften, then place on a slightly damp towel. The rice paper is very delicate, don’t soak them any longer or they will break apart. Keep them covered while you work to prevent them from drying out and curling.

  • To form the rolls, lay a rice paper wrapper on a flat surface. Grab a small amount of the cellophane and vegetable mixture and lay it across the bottom third. Use less filling than you think you should, if you overstuff the wrapper it will tear. Carefully fold the bottom of the wrapper up to cover the filling. Fold in the left and right sides, then tuck and roll it over once. Lay 2 mint leaves on top, then tuck and roll it over to close the whole thing up like a tight cigar. The mint leaves should show through the transparent rice paper. Arrange the finished rolls on a platter and cover with a damp towel.

Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce…

  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon red chili paste, such as sambal oelek

In a blender, puree the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, hot water, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste until combined. Pour into a small bowl and serve with the summer rolls.
Makes 1 cup.

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Mussels and Fries with Mustard Mayonnaise

Taking some time from my blog, re-design, battles to share favorite recipe, hope you like it!

Popular in Belgium and northern France, Moules frites is simply Mussels and French Fries served with a tasty dipping sauce; this recipe caught my eye when Bobby Flay did one of his Throwdowns on the Food Network show.  Tried it and loved it!  It’s perfect anytime, especially for a barbeque.

2

4 lbs of black mussels

1 (15- to 16-ounce) package frozen french fries

1/2 oz chopped garlic

1 oz chopped shallots
1 oz chopped parsley
1 oz butter

1 oz olive oil

4 teaspoons dry mustard
4 teaspoons water
1 cup mayonnaise

Salt and pepper
4 oz white wine

Soak the mussels in cold water and clean one by one to make sure all sand and grit are out.
In the meantime, whisk together mustard and water until smooth, then whisk in mayonnaise and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, set aside.Cook french fries according to package instructions and keep warm in oven if necessary.

In a large pot put olive oil and butter and melt under a low heat.Add shallots and garlic and cook on top of stove for 1 minute.
Add the mussels and toss in pot to mix with olive oil and butter mixture. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until mussels just open wide, 4 to 6 minutes, checking frequently after 4 minutes and transferring as cooked to a bowl. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened.)
Add the white wine and allow a minute more.
Toss in the parsley and then pour liquid over mussels in a serving bowl. 

Serve with fries and mustard mayonnaise.
Enjoy!

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Orange Sunshine

If you loved Orange Creamsicles as a kid or still enjoy them as an adult, you will love this cocktail. 

Serve them up for starters or as a creamy delicious finish to a great night.   Add an orange wedge for a great orange aroma when you sip.  If you choose to do these for dessert, add a dollop of whipped cream to make them more decadent.   

                                                

  • 1-1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
  • 2-1/2 oz. vanilla-infused vodka (such as Stoli Vanilla)
  • 2 1/2 cups of orange sherbet
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 dash vanilla extract
  • 2 cups ice

Add all the ingredients in the blender, adding the ice last. Blend until smooth. Serve in a chilled glass of your choice

                  


                                                     

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