In 2017, Chinese New Year brings us the year of the Red Fire Rooster which is predicted to be full of energy, impatience, pride, and ambition…
- The Rooster can be self-confident and vain, so first impressions count. Look your best and show off your best qualities in matters concerning love and money.
- Stay focused on your goals, and work hard to acheive them. Short cuts and risks won’t pay off, but resolve, diligence, and commitment will get you where you want to go.
- The Rooster is also very punctual, so the new year will help you finish any projects you have been putting off. The Rooster also represents commitment, loyalty, fidelity and trust
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a very important holiday for Chinese culture and there are many traditions to celebrate the new year. People will start the new year with a clean house, a new hair cut and new clothes. The dragon dance, color red, and fireworks are all important aspects believed to drive away the evil spirits.
Small red envelopes filled with lucky money and mandarin oranges representing gold and money are given as gifts to friends and relatives. For the same reason, Chinese spring rolls represent bars of gold and are traditionally enjoyed during the Chinese New Year.
This recipe for homemade baked vegetable spring rolls is easy to make, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and fillings. They are great on Chinese New Year, or on any night you want to enjoy your favorite asian dishes with some delicious crispy vegetable spring rolls to start!
Homemade Baked Vegetable Spring Rolls
These homemade vegetable spring rolls are easily adapted with your favorite fillings, and are baked for a guilt-free addition to your asian meal.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
- 1 tbsp sesame oil / olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onions or scallions
- 1 c julienned carrots (1-2 carrots)
- 3 c shredded cabbage
- Optional 1 cup chopped apple, bean sprouts or mushrooms
- 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- Optional 1 tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
- 1 package of spring roll or egg roll wrappers
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1-2 tsp sambal oelek (Malaysian or Indonesian hot sauce)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener
- pinch of garlic and ginger powder
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Vegetable Spring Rolls
- Preheat oven to 390 F./200 C.
- Heat up a large wok or cast iron frying pan, and add sesame or olive oil.
- Saute the onion for a few minutes until translucent.
- Add in the carrots for another few minutes, and then the cabbage and optional apple, sprouts or mushroom.
- Stir fry together until tender and fragrant.
- Season with Tamari or soy sauce, and optional Chinese 5 spice powder.
- Allow the filling to cool on a baking tray.
- Defrost the spring roll or egg roll wrappers, and keep covered with a very damp cloth so they don’t dry out.
- Place the wrapper in front of you in the shape of a diamond.
- Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of the wrapper.
- Lift the corner closest to you and fold towards the middle.
- Fold in the left and right corners, creating a straight tight crease along the sides
- Roll the wrapper up tightly and place it seam side down. You can use a small amount of water to seal the packages if needed.
- Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp.
Sweet Chili Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small sauce pan or microwavable bowl.
- Heat on the stove top until bubbling or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir again and set aside to cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
You should be able to find spring roll or egg roll wrappers in the refrigerator section of the grocery store, or in the freezer section of an asian grocery store.
A large wok or cast iron pan is great for making stir-frys. Cooking times may take longer in smaller pans.
Happy New Year & Gung Hay Fat Choy!
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Chances are you have everything you need to make this quick and easy stir fry sauce or marinade.
Reminiscent of honey garlic wings, this makes a delicious sweet and salty sauce for your weeknight meal. With just four ingredients, it comes together super quickly and is very versatile!
Homemade Honey Garlic Sauce & Marinade
A homemade honey garlic sauce or marinade with only 4 ingredients for a quick meal.
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp tamari (soy sauce could be substituted, but is not gluten free)
- 1-2 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1/2 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger
- Gently warm up the honey
- Add the tamari, crushed garlic cloves and grated ginger
- Stir to combine and use in your favorite stir fry or as a marinade.
Try making a stir fry bowl with a combination of:
Veggies (broccoli, carrots, onion etc)
Protein (tofu, tempeh, peas or edamame) and
Grains (rice, quinoa, or asian noodles).
Or, marinate some veggie & tofu skewers and throw them on the BBQ with a side of rice. Also great mixed with crisp steamed green vegetables as a side dish.
