John Myers
Summer rolls are very trendy. No wonder, because they are made in no time at all, super versatile, and both fresh and ideal as a meal prep for university or work. By the way, depending on the filling, they are incredibly healthy. Here we show you our favorite summer roll fillings.
Vietnamese summer rolls
The origin of the summer rolls, also known as lucky rolls, has not been clearly clarified to this day. However, the assumption that these originate from China and Vietnam has become entrenched. The delicious rice paper rolls are offered here in various variations, especially in Vietnamese restaurants. Unlike the well-known spring rolls, they are not fried and are therefore the low-fat and healthier option. Due to their low-fat preparation, they taste wonderfully fresh and are easily digestible.
The Vietnamese summer roll is typically prepared with shrimp, pork belly, chicken, or tofu. In the typical Vietnamese summer roll you will also find:
- rice noodles
- cucumber
- paprika
- carrots
- Fresh herbs like coriander, mint, and Thai basil
But as almost always, the same applies here: There are no limits to creativity! Give your Vietnamese summer rolls a personal touch and fill them with your favorite ingredients as you wish. Instead of shrimp, you can also enjoy them with surimi, for example. But summer rolls with smoked salmon are also a real treat. You can also easily replace the rice noodles with rice. If you want to include another healthy source of fat, then you should definitely not do without avocados.
Tip: If you want to fill your summer rolls with rice, it is best to use sushi rice. It contains more starch and therefore sticks better to the rice paper.
Vegetarian summer roll fillings
Even without meat or seafood, summer rolls look great. In addition to tofu, omelets are also popular fillings for the vegetarian version. Yes, you heard that right! Whisked eggs with soy sauce and a dash of sesame give it a full-bodied taste. To do this, let the egg and soy sauce mixture be set in a pan. The cooled omelet can then be cut into strips and rolled up in rice paper with crunchy vegetables. Give your vegetarian summer rolls the finishing touch and pimp them with:
- mango
- asparagus
- avocado
Vegan summer roll fillings
Even if you eat vegan, you don’t have to do without the delicious rolls. But on the contrary! The vegan versions are at least as delicious as the original! Of course, rice noodles, crunchy vegetables, and fresh fruit should not be missing here either! As with the vegetarian summer roll, tofu can form the protein component. It is super versatile and can be prepared in different delicious ways. Test yourself and try it:
- roasted pure
- marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil
- fried
Tofu is too boring for you? Then fill your Vietnamese rolls with roasted chickpeas and give them a special crunch! Simply marinate boiled chickpeas and then roast them in the oven at 180°C for about 30 minutes.
Sweet fruit
Since the rice paper rolls are so wonderfully versatile and adaptable to your wishes, you don’t always have to eat them heartily. Do you prefer it sweet? No problem! Enjoy your summer rolls simply sweet, whether as breakfast, dessert, or simply as a snack. Examples of suitable fillings are:
- cooked coconut milk rice
- mango
- Berry
- mango puree
Tip: If you would rather save a few calories with the sweet rolls, you can eat them without the rice pudding. Simply fill them a little more with your favorite fruit.
Dips in
Of course, the perfect dip should not be missing with your delicious summer rolls. It rounds them off and ensures that they don’t taste too dry. Examples of suitable dips are:
- peanut dip
- Nuoc Cham Dip
- Sweet chili sauce
- Hoisin sauce
