Healthy Vegetarian Egg Rolls

As I was typing the title of this recipe, I can upon a realization.  When I think about healthy cooking, I rarely label it HEALTHY anymore.  It’s just cooking! 

While I always have the option of using butter and cooking with copious amounts of olive oil, I’ve grown to choose the lower-calorie alternatives every time I hit the kitchen.  Unless I’m baking for my Grandpa or a special occasion, the meals that I’m whipping up in my kitchen are going to be healthy.

The thing I really don’t understand:  Why even cook the other way??  

I know that there is a flavor difference, but when you consider the fat/sodium/calorie difference… it’s just not worth it.  Afterall, if you’re craving a certain splurge-like dish, I almost GUARANTEE there’s a healthier alternative out there for you to try instead.

Today’s recipe is the perfect example…

I was craving spring rolls.  You know those yummy crispy rolls, fried in all their tasty goodness, with that crispy flaky crust.  Well, this dish from Skinny Kitchen brought JUST as much flavor and texture, with a tiny fraction of the calories.

I’ve never deep-fried anything in my life, and wouldn’t even know where to begin.  Again, why even head down the path of those unhealthy dishes if there’s a better-for-you alternative waiting for you…

Healthy Vegetarian Egg Rolls

From Skinny Kitchen

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 cup shredded cabbage

1 cup broccoli slaw

1/3 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas, chopped

1/3 cup carrots, shredded

1/3 cup scallions, chopped

1 tsp. ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tsp. lite rice vinegar

½ Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

A little crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

4 egg roll wrappers, see shopping tip

Cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, combine cabbage, broccoli slaw, carrots, pea pods and scallions.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high.  Add ginger, garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Stir in cabbage mixture, 1½ tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft-crisp. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

5. Place 1 egg roll wrapper at a time onto work surface with 1 corner pointing toward you (wrapper should look like a diamond). Dip your fingertips in water and wet the edges of the wrapper.  Spoon ⅓ cup cabbage filling into center of wrapper. Fold lower corner of egg roll wrapper over filling. Fold in corners and roll up jelly roll fashion. Repeat procedure with remaining wrappers and veggie filling.

6.  Lightly coat egg rolls with cooking spray and place, seam side down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

7.  Bake for 10 minutes. Turn over and bake 10 minutes more until golden brown on both sides.

8. Serve at once with your choice of dipping sauce.  Note:  I dipped my egg rolls in sweet chili sauce, but had I had the ingredients I definitely would have made the sauce Skinny Kitchen recommends.  Find out how to make that sauce here.

9. To reheat, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place egg rolls on a baking sheet. Place in oven and heat until crisp.

 Per 1 Egg Roll Serving (sauce not included):

CAL 73; CARB 15g; FAT 0g; PROT 3g; FIB 2g; WW Points Plus: 2

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Skinny Taco Dip

When I heard my friend Robin was throwing a going away party before she moved to California (sniff!), I knew that I’d definitely be there… and I offered to bring some snacks!  Robin had to work the day of her party, so I thought it would be contribute a few snacky items for the crowd that would show up that night.

Robin and I grew close way back in 2010, when we both decided to change our lives by getting healthy.  We’ve both experienced significant transformations, and it’s been fun to have someone close who understood what I was going through along the way!

While I’m uber-happy that Robin is closer to her family now and closer to that gorgeous Pacific ocean, I’m going to miss her a LOT! Although, I’m looking forward to a future trip to Santa Barbara… especially since I visited it via television for so many years!

Did anyone else watch this old 80s soap opera?? The best!

About the recipe… I found this yummy looking dip on Gina’s website SkinnyTaste, and it looked so easy and though it would be a total hit to party guests!  And, it just LOOKS so pretty, right??  Well, it tastes even better!

Skinny Taco Dip

From Gina at Skinnytaste

Serves 24

INGREDIENTS

8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese

8 oz reduced fat sour cream

16 oz jar mild salsa

1 packet taco seasoning

2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 large tomatoes, diced

1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

2.25 oz black olives

2-3 scallions, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, salsa and taco seasoning and mix well with an electric mixer.

2. Spread on the bottom of a large shallow glass dish.  Note:  I used a disposable 9 x 13 so I could leave it behind at the party.

3. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and black olives.

I bought the pre-shredded lettuce… so easy this way!

4. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Per 1/24th recipe serving (not including chips):

CAL 59.2; CARB 4.7g; FAT 3.6g; PROT 2.2g; FIB 0.6g; WW Points Plus: 2

 

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