I have never promoted a vegetarian/vegan diet whether speaking casually among friends or to a patient who is seriously considering putting all meat and animal products aside. It is however very healthy and necessary to –often- fulfill ones nutritional needs through only vegetables, grains, nuts/seeds and oils as one cannot ignore the many studies indicating the benefits of a diet composed mainly of none-animal products.
Here’s a great summer recipe! It is a very simple and easy recipe and is a wonderful way to get the little ones involved in kitchen and teach them the basics of a healthy meal.
Medicinally, we all know the benefits of vegetables and this is a wonderful way to get a variety of vegetables for their full health benefits. Moreso, from a traditional chinese medicine perspective this is a very cool meal which is what our bodies need and crave in the heat of the summer! For more on the Yin/Yang and cooling/warming nature of foods see here.
Spring Rolls With Peanut Tamarind Sauce
Spring rolls are made by wrapping your desired vegetables in rice paper (soak in hot water for 2 minutes until softened). Here are some suggestions: bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, cabbage, avocado, seaweed/nori, fresh herbs of your choice (parsley, basil, etc.), lettuce, asparagus, and basically anything else that could be cut up in thin stripes would work! A combination of 5-6 vegetables works great.
Sauce:
Mix & Bring the following to a simmer for 3-5 minutes and let cool before serving:
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter; 2 tbsp tamarind paste; 4 tbsp coconut cream concentrate; 2 tsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp hoisen sauce or 2-3 tsp sugar; fresh ginger, garlic, and cayenne or chilli pepper to taste.
*The amount of tamarind, sugar, and soy sauce can be adjusted to your liking.
Enjoy! 🙂
