Spring Rolls With Japanese Daikon Radish
A white carrot on steroids was my first thought when my neighbor handed me a daikon radish. This radish, a favorite of Japanese cuisine, has a nice peppery flavor to it, and yet it is mildly delicious compared to its cousin the small red radish found in many American gardens. From the moment I took my first bite, I knew I'd be adding this vegetable to many of my favorite dishes. My first attempt: Spring Rolls with Japanese Daikon, turned out wonderfully well. I pair the radish with the wonderful crunchiness and flavor of walnuts, giving the spring rolls an added bit of protein without adding meat.
All About Spring Rolls
What is a spring roll and where did the idea for this perfectly prepared finger food come from?
Spring rolls are very popular and come with all kinds of fillings. They are basically prepared by mixing ingredients together and placing them inside rice paper for frying, or serving fresh. The spring rolls we know so well from Asian restaurants were first made (tradition suggests) for the Chinese New Year which ushers in the beginning of Spring. With spring comes the new growth of garden plants, and consequently, the first spring rolls were said to contain only small diced and minced vegetables from the garden. Meat was added later. Dry noodles are also often added to give the rolls more crunch. In my recipe I have added walnuts for crunch, which adds the protein of meat with delicious nutty flavor.
Quick and Easy; No Cooking Involved!
Ingredients
- 1/2 Red Pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 Yellow Pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 Scallions, diced finely
- 1/2 cup Carrot, grated finely
- 3/4 cup Daikon Radish, grated finely
- 1 cup Green Cabbage, cut or shredded finely
- 1 cup Walnuts, chopped coarsely
- 8-10 Rice Paper Wrappers
- 2 Tbsp Citrus Infused Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesami Oil
- 1 1/2 tsp Grated Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Pineapple Juice
- 2tsp Thai Chili Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
Make These Delicious Spring Rolls in No Time
- Wash and pat dry all vegetables. Begin by dicing scallions. Place in mixing bowl. Add shredded carrots, daikon radish, and cabbage.
- Mix together in small bowl; Citrus infused soy sauce, honey, 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar, sesame oil, and 1 tsp. grated ginger. Add to bowl of vegetables. Mix together. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- Slice red and yellow pepper, and set aside. Chop walnuts and set aside.
- Assemble Spring rolls: Place rice paper wrappers, one at a time as you assemble them, in warm water to soften (a few seconds will do). Lay paper on flat surface. Lay pepper slices near one end of round paper(saving room to begin rolling process). Sprinkle walnuts next to peppers. Place three tablespoons vegetable mixture next to walnuts. Lift end of paper (next to vegetables) to begin rolling. Roll paper once around, pull sides in and roll the rest of the way.
- Place spring rolls on plate. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate.
Zesty Sweet Pineapple Chili Dipping Sauce
Mix Ingredients Together:
2 Tbsp Thai Chili Sauce
2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Grated Ginger
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp Pineapple Juice
Pour into sauce cup and serve with Spring Rolls with Japanese Daikon Radish
Approximate Values For Small Spring Rolls
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 2 halves | |
| Calories | 50 |
| Calories from Fat | 0 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Carbohydrates 4 g | 1% |
| Fiber 2 g | 8% |
| Protein 2 g | 4% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Daikon Radish is High In Vitamin C and Aids In Digestion
- DAIKON (Japanese Radish) : MITOKU COMPANY, LTD. - Organic Japanese Foods Exporter.
Japanese cuisine products wholesaler as Mitoku Company Japan is a leading company of Natural Organic Japanese food all ovet the world.
Great Party and Snack Food!
These spring rolls can be prepared in the morning to be eaten in the evening. They're perfect for parties or snacking. Quick, easy, delicious and healthy too! They're "Good Eats", as Alton Brown would say!
