Tired of delivery and take out? Put the phone down. We have something better with these easy and fun raw veggie rolls. Contributor and naturopathic medical student Nora Abbas says, “You could feed me anything as long as it had a good sauce or dressing on it.” Raw veggie rolls are a great way to get more vegetables in your diet (and enjoy the sauce!). Abbas shares the secrets of rolling rice paper wraps, something she learned from her Taiwanese Aunt. It’s easy if you have everything ready ahead of time. Spice them up and add a protein of your choice. Recipe originally posted on buzzedfeeds.com.
INGREDIENTS FOR RAW VEGGIE ROLLS
10 rice paper wraps or romaine lettuce leaves
1 cup shredded cabbage or cooked rice noodles
2 carrots, cut into long strips
½ large red beet, cut into strips
½ avocado, cut into strips
1 pepper, cut into strips
2 large celery stalks, cut into strips
½ large cucumber, cut into strips
Handful of fresh, organic cilantro or parsley
Optional: other veggies or protein of choice (Asian tempeh, chicken, etc.)
Spicy Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce:
¼ cup peanut butter
3 tbsp aminos, tamari, or other gf soy sauce substitute
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 small limes, juiced (or 4 tbsp)
1 tbsp coconut nectar or other neutral liquid sweetener
1-2 tsp sesame oil
1-2 tbsp filtered water, as needed
½ tsp fresh or ground ginger
½ tsp fresh or ground garlic
¼ – ½ tsp red pepper flakes, adjusting to taste
2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
DIRECTIONS
- Have all the veggies out and ready. Once you wet the rice paper to wrap, you have to work a little bit quickly so they don’t get too soggy and rip.
- Fill the wok or bowl with warm-hot water.
- Put the rice paper wrapper in the warm-hot water so it is completely submerged and move it lightly back and forth for about 10 seconds or until it starts to soften.
- Lay it on a flat surface (cutting board or plate) and lay the veggies in it, but make sure not to over fill it – about 1 of each veggie stick.
- Top with a little cilantro and fold one side over (I usually start with the side closest to you and fold it forward).
- Then fold each of the two sides over and roll forward, like a burrito.
- Continue to do the same for the other wrappers.
Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce:
- In a small jar, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well.
- Adjust ingredients to desired taste and consistency. I sometimes like less garlic or pepper, or more lime and water to thin out and flavor.
- Refrigerate if not serving immediately and stir before serving.
Notes:
- If using romaine leaves, just fill with veggies.
Nora Abbas is a medical student at National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). If you haven’t read Nora Abbas’s amazing story on how her mother survived a serin gas attack and how this experience led her to study to become a naturopathic physician, read the incredible story here, Against All Odds, Sarin Gas Attack Led Nora Abbas to Become a Naturopathic Physician.
This article is sponsored by the Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, partnered with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. INM’s mission is to transform healthcare in America by increasing both public awareness of naturopathic medicine and access to naturopathic doctors for patients. INM believes that naturopathic medicine, with its unique principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness that overwhelms existing health care systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain their optimal lifelong health. INM strives to achieve this mission through the following initiatives:
- Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of naturopathic medicine
- Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
- Research – Expand quality research of this complex and comprehensive system of medicine
INM's team is made up of naturopathic doctors and health journalists.
