Mango, tofu, and mustard greens spring rolls

This year I am growing mustard greens in my garden. If you've never had it, I highly suggest you do! It has become one of my favorite greens, and as a bonus, it has green and purple in the mix, so double points for having two of the rainbow's colors. It also has a spiciness that I love- it is slightly bitter and is very crunchy. WIN-WIN!

So one day, admiring this beautiful green leaf, I had an idea to make some fresh spring roll with it, hoping to have that intricate purple pattern come out through the rice paper. So I did!

I haven't met anyone that doesn't like fresh spring rolls- this is how delicious this dish is. I would eat it every day, no question about it. I used tofu in mine, but you are encouraged to use your protein of choice, like chicken or shrimp. I used mango because mango is my favorite fruit, sweet and tart, but you are free to use other fruits you like.

All my ingredients prepared for the spring rolls.

RECIPE

Ingredients

• 10 brown paper sheets

• 10 mustard green leaves(you can use other green leaves or lettuce)

• one avocado cut into strips

• red cabbage ribbons

• green cabbage ribbons

• one mango cut into strips

• one small cucumber cut into sticks

• rainbow carrots cut into sticks

• one package tofu

• one bunch of fresh cilantro

Sauce

• 3 Tbsp tahini

• 1 Tbsp honey

• 1 tsp hot sauce

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

• Almond or plant-based milk of choice until you create your desired consistency(some people like a thinker sauce, while others want a dipping sauce- see what works best for you).

Instructions

• Cook the tofu first- remove it from the package, squeeze and drain the water as much as possible, and cut it into 1/4 inch slices. Sautee the tofu in a pan with avocado oil until slightly golden. Cut the tofu into strips;

• If you want to use other meat, cook as desired;

• Prep and cut all the veggies and fruits and put them on a plate for easy access when putting together the spring rolls.

How to put together a spring roll

• Soak the rice paper in warm/hot water for 5 seconds, and place the rice paper on a plate;

• Add the mustard leaf, face down, nervures up;

• Start adding all the ingredients little by little, like in the picture below;

• Roll everything in the rice paper as you would roll a burrito, dolma, or a baby in a blanket :))

• Make the sauce by mixing up all the ingredients. Add as much plant-based milk to create the desired consistency and taste for salt.

Enjoy!

How to put together a spring roll.

You might be asking yourself if it is worth all this work?! Absolutely! Making your food brings awareness to how much effort goes into making food, why we need to reduce food waste, and how important it is to connect to your food at every level.

These spring rolls are a great recipe to make with kids, as they are equally fun to make and eat.

As usual, these are my thoughts and ideas, not medical advice. You are encouraged to create your own recipes or search for some suited to your needs. I am just sharing my recipes, hoping that I can inspire some of you to make healthier food choices.

Please remember that we all have different nutritional needs and that food affects us differently. If you are not sure which foods are best for you, reach out for a free phone consultation. 

In good health,

Ioana