Cucumber Avocado Spring Rolls

Summer has arrived!  It was 90+ yesterday...not really weather to be doing a whole lot outside, and way too hot to be cooking much.  Which means out comes the delicious raw veggies.  This dish is so easy to prepare and very delicious (I think I say this about all of my cooking, I could be partial).  One of my favorite things about this dish is the dipping sauce that goes with the egg rolls.  I want to make a large portion of it so that I can use it on my salads this summer.

Makes 10 rolls

Cucumber Avocado Springs Rolls

• 1 T lemon juice
• 2 T. oil
• 1/2 t. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 t. soy sauce
• 1 t. brown sugar
• 2 avocados
• 20 rice paper rounds- 6 or 8 inches in diameter
• 10 green lettuce leaves
• leaves from 1 bunch fresh basil
• leaves from 1 bunch fresh mint
• 2 carrots shredded
• 1/2 cucumber, cut into thin strips

1. In a small bowl, stir together lemon juice, oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and brown sugar until the brown sugar dissolves.  Set aside for later use!
2. Halve, pit and peel the avocados.  Slice into 1/2 inch cubes.
3. Fill a wide shallow bowl with warm water and lay a clean kitchen towel next to the bowl.  
4. Dip 1 rice paper in the warm water and let soften in the water for a few seconds.  Remove from the water and lay it on the towel.  Repeat with a second rice paper and place directly on top of the first rice paper.  
5. Center a leaf lettuce on the stacked rice papers.  Starting about 1/3 in from the edge closest to you, place a few basil and mint leaves on the lettuce.  Top with a small row of each the shredded carrots, sliced cucumber and diced avocado taking special care not to overstuff the rolls.  Lift the bottom edge of the rice paper up and over the filling and then roll, folding in the sides as you go, rolling into a tight cylinder.  Set aside seam side down.  Repeat with remaining ingredients, making 10 rolls total.
6. Cut each roll in half and place on a platter with the dipping sauce.  
7. Serve immediately and enjoy.  

(I did learn from experience trying to make my lunch for the next day, these delicious rolls are to be enjoyed asap...not really the best the next day.  The rice paper rolls tend to dry out and harden, making not the perfect spring roll)

Inspiration courtesy of: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/cucumber-and-avocado-summer-rolls-with-mustard-soy-sauce.html

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