Fresh and flavorful avocado shiitake spring rolls are a light, tasty meal. Fresh veggies and spicy noodles add texture and bright flavor to these fresh rolls.
recipe originally published February 27, 2013
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Why you'll love these spring rolls
I love a fresh spring roll, and these avocado shiitake spring rolls are a favorite. They have great flavor and texture, and make a perfect light meal. I like just about any ingredients except cilantro. I do know cilantro adds a bold flavor, so include it if you like. Cilantro would only add to the fresh flavors in this avocado shiitake roll. Here's why you'll love these.
- The spicy almond sauce adds great flavor to these rolls. We toss the ramen noodles in it and use it as a dipping sauce. The bell pepper adds a bright fresh flavor, and the avocado and cashews are rich and buttery. Finally, the pan seared shiitakes bring a deep savory flavor.
- There are many textures going on here, with crunch from the bell pepper and cashew pieces, creamy cool avocado and a chewy noodle and shiitake. If you cook the shiitakes without disturbing them too much, they develop deliciously crispy edges that are wonderful.
- This recipe is very easy to do - please don't be intimidated by the rice paper. I have made so many rice paper rolls over the years, and my rice paper hydrating technique is pretty foolproof. The rest is sautéing the shiitakes and prepping the rest of the short ingredient list while the ramen noodles boil.
Continue reading to see my super easy rice paper hydrating method and this delicious recipe!
Tips for making fresh spring rolls
- Choose ingredients that vary in flavor and texture - fresh veggies, noodles, crunchy nuts, herbs, tofu
- Prep all ingredients and sauce in advance
- Make a "rolling station" with a flat surface - a cutting board or large plate
- Arrange all fillings and sauces around this surface, so you can easily reach everything to assemble rolls
- Arrange the fillings in a line just a bit off from the center, leaving about one and a half inches on each short side.
- When rolling, fold the short sides in first. The rice paper will be sticky and should stick. Then fold the end the filling is closer to first, up and over the fillings. Roll as tightly as you can.
- Use my easy rice paper technique for easy handling and rolling:
Rice paper hydrating technique
Once you have all spring roll ingredients prepped and ready, and a flat surface to assemble your rolls, it is time to hydrate your rice paper.
Hold one rice paper wrapper under water faucet running cool water, literally for one second each side. Just hold it under the running water, flip it over, and that is it.
At this point the rice paper will still have structure and will be firm. That is what you want, and it will continue to soften as you assemble the roll. Work quickly, one rice paper roll at a time.
Place the rice paper on your flat surface and start adding ingredients. Once you are finished and ready to roll, the rice paper should be pliable enough to wrap.
What to serve with fresh spring rolls
I will eat several of these avocado shiitake spring rolls for lunch and that is often enough, especially if I add tofu for more protein. If you are serving these as a side dish, this crispy coconut tofu is a great main to pair with spring rolls.
For a meal that mimics take out, add vegetable fried rice or sesame scallop fried rice. For even more fresh flavors, this edamame cucumber salad is a terrific choice.
Vegan crab cakes might not sound traditional, but it was the last dish I enjoyed these spring rolls with.
Did you make these spring rolls?
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Avocado Shiitake Spring Rolls
These salad rolls are fresh and flavorful with crisp textures and bright spice.
Ingredients
- 1 block gluten free ramen noodle
- 6 large shiitake mushrooms
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
- ⅓ cup raw cashew pieces
- 6 tablespoons spicy almond sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- ½ orange bell pepper, sliced into matchsticks
- 6 pieces rice paper
Instructions
Prepare the roll fillings
- Boil block of ramen according to package instructions.
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil or vegetable broth.
- Add sliced mushrooms to skillet, and sauté until softened with crispy edges. Remove from heat and set aside while you prep the remaining roll ingredients.
- When ramen has finished cooking, drain and set aside to cool.
- In small bowl, combine 6 tablespoons spicy almond coconut sauce with rice noodles and cashew pieces.
Filling and rolling rolls
- Place 3 slices avocado in middle of hydrated rice paper.
- Top with 2 tablespoons sauced rice noodles.
- Add several shiitake slices and 4-5 slices bell pepper.
- Roll tightly like a burrito: fold short sides over filling, then fold one long side over filling and roll / tuck / roll / tuck until completely enclosed.
Notes
Tips for making fresh spring rolls
- Choose ingredients that vary in flavor and texture - fresh veggies, noodles, crunchy nuts, herbs, tofu
- Prep all ingredients and sauce in advance
- Make a "rolling station" with a flat surface - a cutting board or large plate
- Arrange all fillings and sauces around this surface, so you can easily reach everything to assemble rolls
- Arrange the fillings in a line just a bit off from the center, leaving about one and a half inches on each short side.
- When rolling, fold the short sides in first. The rice paper will be sticky and should stick. Then fold the end the filling is closer to first, up and over the fillings. Roll as tightly as you can.
- Use my easy rice paper technique for easy handling and rolling:
Rice paper hydrating technique
The best rice paper hydrating for easy rolling: have a large plate, cutting board, or smooth surface ready to fill roll. Also have fillings prepped and ready before you hydrate the rice paper. Hold wrapper under water faucet running cool water for just a second or two, getting both sides wet. They will still have structure, but as you fill, they will become pliable.
You do not need to submerge rice paper in water - this results in a too wet / sticky paper that is difficult to work with and rips easily.
What to serve with fresh spring rolls
I will eat several of these avocado shiitake spring rolls for lunch and that is often enough, especially if I add tofu for more protein. If you are serving these as a side dish, this crispy coconut tofu is a great main to pair with spring rolls.
For a meal that mimics take out, add vegetable fried rice or sesame scallop fried rice.
For even more fresh flavors, this edamame cucumber salad is a terrific choice.
Vegan crab cakes might not sound traditional, but it was the last dish I enjoyed these spring rolls with.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gSodium: 139mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 4g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I have a big package of rice paper wrappers in the pantry after a failed spring roll attempt last year. I need to make these! And I could probably eat that sauce with a spoon...
Kristina Sloggett says
uh oh - failed attempt? I hope the second try goes smoother - I really think my technique of quickly running the papers under water works well - they are easy to lay flat on the plate and continue to soften as you fill them.
and yeah, the sauce... and a spoon...
jobo says
YUM!! I LOVE fresh spring rolls!! so yummy. these look fabulous. and I have been ready for spring since...September 😉
Jess says
SO READY FOR SPRING!!! We've been thinking about home projects too -- dying to have freshly painted rooms again, trying to freshen up our place a bit and paint ALWAYS does the trick, I just hate doing the actual painting, can I hire you?? 😉
Kristina Sloggett says
I am painting my office this weekend, a bright color too! 🙂 I'll come paint with ya - how fun would that be!?
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
I'm covered in snow and NOT ready for spring. I know it would be fun to run outside in the warm, but I'm so enjoying the chance to go snowboarding and am not ready to stop! 🙂
Oh - and these look fantastic!!
Kristina Sloggett says
I kinda figured you'd be good with the snow and want it to hang around a while... 😉
Eileen says
Rice paper rolls definitely scream summer to me. Here in NorCal it is just starting to warm up--although our lows weren't too low to begin with. 🙂 Raw cashews and almond sauce sound so good with avocado!
Kristina Sloggett says
the cashews add a nice crunch to these rolls, I love that part too!
Ashley says
These are beautiful! If I can't have warmer weather, I think these will do 🙂
Allie says
I can't wait for flip-flops! Yup, it IS all about the shoes 😉
...And the mushroom mustaches.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I might eat those even with the avocado 😉 They look fantastic. And we don't have the snow to contend with, but I'm over the 25 degree mornings that's for sure.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I am SO bad at working with rice paper... but it doesn't stop me! These look awesome. and YES for spring time. It's cold and rainy here. 🙁
Kristina Sloggett says
you should try just quickly running them under water, really! get them completely wet, they'll still be stiff, place them on the plate to fill, they soften up. much easier to work with 🙂
Abby says
Those are beautiful!
As for spring, BRING. IT. ON. I have to work from home again today because we got hit with another 6-7 inches of heavy wet snow last night and my road won't be plowed until probably tomorrow. Better safe than sorry, so I'm on house arrest. Ugh. It's so frustrating, and I'm so ready for warmer weather--and easier commutes!
Kristina Sloggett says
you have had so much snow... I cannot even imagine. I'm hoping the warm weather finds you soon!