One of my favorite dishes when I used to go out to Asian restaurants was the spring rolls. Since I can’t eat them anymore, here is my take on a healthy, alkaline diet-approved version of a spring roll. If you are grain-free, you can substitute the quinoa with cooked minced cauliflower.

Ingredients:

  • 1 carrot, julienned and peeled
  • 1 English cucumber, julienned and peeled
  • 1 cup Kimchi (drain liquid)
  • 1 and a half Avocados, sliced length wise
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (white, red or black is fine)-may substitute with cooked cauliflower
  • 15 pieces of Red leaf lettuce (size equivalent or a bit smaller to the rice paper wrap (green leaf lettuce is fine, too)
  • 15 rice paper wraps

For dipping sauce

  • 5 tablespoons of Coconut Aminos (found at most health food stores)
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter (smooth or crunchy is fine)

Rinse and cook quinoa according to package directions. Allow it to cool completely and set aside.

Next, Cut avocados in half. Remove the seed. Place the avocado on a cutting surface pit side facing you. Take one half, using a knife slice the inside of the avocado into sections, lengthwise. You should get about 5 even slices from each half. Do the same for the next 2 halves.

Set aside.

Next, julienne the cucumber and the carrot and set aside.

Measure out the kimchi and set aside.

Instructions:

Using a dinner plate with a deep well, place warm water in the center and fill enough to cover the size of a rice wrap.

Next, using one wrap at a time, dip wrap and submerge completely with water for about 10-15 seconds, transfer to a clean empty plate and lay flat.

Take the lettuce leaf making sure it’s a little smaller than the size of the wrap and place it in the center of the wrap.

Place 1 heaping tablespoon of quinoa (or cauliflower), 1 level tablespoon of Kimchi, a few carrot slices and a few cucumber slices onto the lettuce leaf rice wrap combo, keeping it in a neat pile in the middle of the wrap.

Next, add one avocado slice (you can cut it in 2-3 pieces and distribute it into the pile, if you prefer)

You are now ready to roll. Take the bottom edge of one side of the wrap and bring it over the filling, making sure to wrap tightly, then fold in each side nice and snug. Lastly, roll the rest all the way to the top of the wrap.

There you have it, a delicious spring roll. Repeat this process for the remainder of the rolls.

Next, in a small bowl whisk together almond butter and Coconut Aminos until smooth.

Serve with spring rolls and enjoy!

Makes 5 servings