Spring Rolls

Yeah, I guess they are all vegan.

1 package bean thread noodles

1 package 20cm diameter spring roll wrappers

1 carrot

cilantro

1 package tempeh

tamari

sesame oil (optional)

olive oil

1 head boston lettuce (optional)

mint

Boil some water then take it off the heat. Let the rice thread noodles soften in the water until they are soft. Cut the threads with a knife and fork in the pot like you're cutting up spaghetti for a kid, but just a little. Put this in a medium bowl. Shred a carrot and put a handful of chopped cilantro into the noodles and toss.

Slice tempeh about a third of an inch thick. Sprinkle amply with tamari in a bowl. Let this sit for a minute.

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add a few drops of sesame oil. Fry the tempeh lightly until golden on both sides, then drain on a paper-toweled plate.

Heat about a centimeter of water in a pot until it is a little hotter than tepid. Do not let bubbles form -- your wrappers will be a mess.

Lay out the wrappers, then the bowl of noodles, a cutting board, the mint leaves, the lettuce leaves, and the plate you'll stack your finished rolls on, all in a line on the counter.

Pick up a dry wrapper. Feel for the "rough" side and make sure it's facing down. Letting only half the wrapper in the water at a time, turn the wrapper so it gets wet progressively as you turn the wrapper like a steering wheel. (See youtube for this). When you feel the texture of the wrapper soften very slightly, pick up the whole wrapper and let the excess water fall off of it. DO NOT use a wrapper that has gone soft and retracted.

Lay the wrapper on the cutting board, still rough side down.

Place half a lettuce leaf in the center.

Add a handful of the noodles, about as much as would fit in a small scoop of ice cream.

Put a piece of tempeh and two mint leaves on top.

Slowly pick up the left and right sides of the circle and lay them on top of the food.

Starting from the bottom of the circle, roll the spring roll up.

Put it on the plate.

Dip in sauce, serve with cilantro/basil/bean sprouts.

Mmm.

Sauce:

2 heaping T natural peanut butter (no sugar added)

juice of half a lime

2 t tamari

1 T oil

1T water

Beat all ingredients until smooth