Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Tofu Apple Spring Rolls

Here's a lunch I created and photographed especially for the cookbook (which is on the way to the printers, eek!). A rice paper wrapper enfolds a mixture of gingery baked tofu, fresh apple slices, Napa cabbage, and cilantro. On the side is a small container of peanut sauce for dipping and some of my stepdad's Asian-style asparagus (he's thrilled that a recipe of his is actually going in the cookbook). For dessert, a nectarine and a dish of luscious black rice pudding. This is our favorite treat when we eat at a local Thai restaurant -- chewy black rice topped with a mixture of sugar and coconut milk.

Verdict: Big thumbs up from the photographer and testers -- my husband even said this spring roll was worth the cost of the entire book! Shmoo doesn't care for rice paper, so he stuck with tofu and apple slices and a big, piping bowl of black rice pudding. He says to pack the pudding in a thermos and eat it warm, but I think it's also nice at room temperature if you don't want the added weight of a thermos. 5 stars.

32 comments:

Chris said...

The spring roll sounds and looks amazing! I can't wait to try it. And the peanut sauce, mmmm.

I love, love, love asparagus, I have never tried it asain style, it sounds yummy!

Merry said...

I thought I would make it in with the first comment.....Oh well. This dish looks delish. I hope your cookbook will be available in Canada!!!! Remember all of your loyal fans north of the border. :)

laura k said...

Ooh, a new lunchbox, just like the old days! :)

That does look very good... I can't wait until your cookbook is available. I hope Shmoo's new "parent-teacher partnership" is still working out well for him... and for you!

Catherine said...

Yum! Cna't wait for the cookbook!

Hapamama said...

YOu may already know this but I wanted to tell you that Rachel Ray had your bento box on her show today, it made me think of you!

jin said...

That sounds SO GOOD!!!

I also can't wait for the cookbook. Will you be offering it through a link on your blog?

WannabeMe said...

I was just scrounging for recipes for rice paper. Looks yummy. I can't wait for your book!

Unknown said...

YUM!!!
I have a stack of these rice paper wraps in my basement and this sounds awesome!!

Thanks my shmoo-ey friend!

(Oh, and thank the shmoo testers as well.)

Zachary said...

That looks awesome!

Nicole said...

yummy, yummy, yummy!

How can I get a copy of that cookbook? Are you taking orders yet?

mira said...

That looks so awesome! I'm not sure my youngest would go for it but I'll just borrow her laptop lunchbox and make it for me!

Can't wait for your cookbook

funwithyourfood said...

what is black rice?

teddy

KariDyan said...

can't wait for the cookbook!

Colleen said...

I can't wait forthe cookbook either, please say it'll be released in Canada!

Anonymous said...

I cannot wait until your cookbook is out! I have been wanting to try making wraps like that for a while, but haven't found any recipes yet.

Nicole said...

Sounds yummy! Will your cookbook include nutritional information for each recipe?

Boring said...

Can
not
wait
for
cookbook
:-)

Ann said...

My daughter Hanna entered first grade two weeks ago and is so excited to take a lunchbox to school. We are looking forward to buying your cookbook and enjoying all the delicious recipes throughout grade school ( and beyond ).

vasilisa said...

joining the "please be available in Canada" bandwagon. We also like to eat yummy lunches.

Shannon. said...

Oh! Canada, please! All this time I'd never even thought that we were at risk of being left out. I am ON that bandwagon.

High Power Rocketry said...

No spinach!

Jennifershmoo said...

Much, much more work, and it's taken a lot longer than I would have wished. Every step in the publishing process takes a lot of time.

Chris said...

Great question Nicole. Nutritional info for each recipe would be a great help!

Mia said...

Hurrah, a new lunchbox! It looks fabulous, as does the setting. Very much looking forward to the cookbook. Congratulations on getting it to the printers!

Matt and Bobbie said...

This lunch looks amazing...just like the old days. I'd buy the book just for that asparagus recipe! PS: if anyone's interested in other vegan food blogs, check mine out--I'd love the feedback and comments.

Nicole said...

Black rice is a rice with a black (or very dark purple) husk on it -- it tends to be very gelatinous (like sushi rice), and it cooks up in a nifty purple colour. I made the mistake of putting saag "paneer" on black/purple rice for a lunch one day -- tasty, but didn't look particularly appetising.

Nicole said...

By the by, is it lunch day yet?

:D

RaeVynn Sands said...

Yay, school's started again!! woooohooooo!
I really enjoy your blog. :)

Mahek said...

hi
jennifer
your lunch box reminded me of the pleasure i used to get when i used to read your lunch box posts.pls pls do continue writing.
i had suggested earlier you can do posts on the lunch you give shmoo
but let it be regular we really miss you!!!!!

TeaPriestess said...

I so miss checking this journal every day! How's homeschooling coming along? I agree with everyone above who said please post what you're eating...I miss it all so very much!

Heather J. Chin said...

oh wow. such a sweet and yum-licious lunch! So attractive, too.
It's wonderful that your stepdad is thrilled at having a recipe in the book... it's so much a family affair! Family activities often seem too rare, at least in the busyness of today's world, and it's nice that so much of what you and your family do is together. =) Inspiring and refreshing.

Jennifershmoo said...

Hee hee, nope! I put it there to fill in the picture. I guess you'd have to slice the nectarine or pack it separately. A plum would probably fit, though...