Spicy Vegetable Spring Rolls

Even though it's not spring, these could easily be called summer rolls. I love the cold, crisp vegetables when it's super hot outside. Everything is raw. This recipe doesn't call for much direction other than the rolling method and the sauce, which I made. You can totally use your favorite dipping confection if you have one that you like. But of course, I encourage you to experiment and make your own! Nut sauces are super easy and only require a few ingredients, most of which I think you probably already have in your pantry. You can get the rice paper wrappers and rice noodles at any health food or asian grocery store. And, as always, there is so much room here for personal modifications. I have made a million versions of these. You can add good quality shrimp or salmon or tuna to make it more like traditional sushi and you can substitute any of these vegetables for others that you prefer. Be adventurous!

INGREDIENTS
1 package rice paper wraps
rice noodles
vegetables of your choice
cucumber
bell pepper
carrot
napa cabbage
red cabbage
jalapeno
avocado
cilantro

SAUCE
peanut, almond or cashew butter
tamari or soy sauce
rice wine vinegar
sesame oil
honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar
lime juice
cilantro
crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS
It doesn't get any easier than this. No heat, totally raw. It does require a little knife work, however. Everything works best when julienned which is a matchstick cut. You can do this with a mandolin or manually with a chef's knife.  Cut all of your vegetables into long, thin slices. Do the same with the fish if you're including that. Rice noodles are instant. You can do this first while you prep your filling. Cut the avocado into long pieces inside each half. The rice papers are hard in the package but get dipped in water for a few seconds to soften. Do them one at a time and assemble your rolls on a cutting board. It's like folding a burrito. Put everything in the lower third of the circle and then fold the ends over, then roll tight. That's it! The sauce assembly is just mixing everything together and adjusting the salty, sweetness. If you want it thicker, add more nut butter. Garnish with fresh cilantro or chives and devour!

ENJOY!