Rice Paper Wraps

Another popular dinner that we make at least twice a month are Rice Paper Wraps with Smoked Tofu and Fresh Veggies. This super simple meal was first made for us by our vegan friends. We oogled over it! They must have thought we were crazy to like them that much. So I will pass it on.

First the mise en place. Set up your station to rehydrate the rice wraps.

A cookie tray with about 1/2 inch of water will be needed to dip the wraps.

Then wet a large kitchen towel slightly, ring it out & place it folded in half next to the water bath.

Cut all veggies before soaking wraps.

Our list of veggies usually reads something like this:

BEAN SPROUTS OR PEA SHOOTS

AVOCADO SLICED THIN

WHOLE BASIL LEAVES

CARROT & CUCUMBER SLICED THIN WITH VEGGIE PEELER

ROASTED RED PEPPERS

FRESH MINCED GINGER

ROASTED GARLIC MASHED INTO A PASTE

SMOKED TOFU (try a couple of varieties until you find a great one!)

THAI DIPPI SAUCE

1 lime juiced

3 Tbs olive oil

1 Tbs sesame seed oil

1 Tbs soy sauce

1 tsp brown sugar

1 Tbs minced ginger

1 tsp roasted garlic paste (or raw if you like that kind of thing)

TO PREPARE THE RICE WRAPS (see package or keep reading...)

Dip the wrap, turning it once or twice, and let it rest between the folded towel for about 1 minute. Transfer to a large plate and it is ready to fill when all edges are malleable.

If you place the whole basil leaves down first, the finished product is something of a piece of art. Follow these with long thin strips of tofu, cucumber, carrots, sprouts, ginger....etc. Spoon Thai Dip over veggies before wrapping or just dip the finished product as you eat. (The latter not being a good idea if you are watching your sodium intake.) We usually have about 3-4 wraps per person. Enjoy!

Only once were we not satisfied by the integrity of the rice wraps we bought. They ripped terribly and were not at all sticky. We took them back and got a brand that we knew. Bottom line-experiment with this dinner until you perfect your style and then you may be eating them once or twice a month like us!