nori Archives - Healthy in the Kitchen

Cauliflower “Rice” Veggie Rolls with Asparagus, Roasted Red Pepper & Thai Basil

Both the grilled peppers and cauliflower rice can be made ahead; just make sure to refrigerate until ready to use. Plan to not cook the asparagus ahead of time- that way you won’t lose its vibrant green color.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Bell Peppers, red, washed
24 Asparagus stalks, thin, washed & trimmed
1/3 Cauliflower head, washed, trimmed + chopped into medium pieces
1 tsp Mirin
1 tsp Simple syrup
1 tsp Vinegar, rice
1/2 tsp Sesame seeds, white
4 Nori sheets
26-36 Thai basil leaves (substitute regular basil leaves if unavailable)

PREPARATION:
Grill red peppers, turning occasionally, until all sides are black. Place peppers in a bowl; cover bowl in saran wrap and let peppers rest for 20-30 minutes. Unwrap bowl; remove and discard pepper skins, stems & seeds. Cut roasted pepper into long strips.

Steam asparagus until al dente, about a minute. Throw asparagus into ice bath to stop cooking; remove from water.

Place cauliflower, mirin, simple syrup and rice vinegar into food processor. Chop until cauliflower pieces are about the size of rice grains. Stir in sesame seeds.

To assemble: Place 1 nori sheet on sushi mat. Thinly spread cauliflower mixture over nori sheet, leaving a 1/2 inch “lip” of one side bare. Place a row of basil leaves in middle of cauliflower (running parallel to bare lip.) Lay some pepper strips on top of basil leaves. Lay 3 steamed asparagus stalks over pepper, allowing the asparagus heads to extend beyond the end of the roll. Take three more asparagus stalks and trim to fit the space left at the end of the first three stalks, again allowing for some length so that the asparagus tips will stick out of veggie roll end. Roll mat slowly toward “lip”; wet bare Nori lip with water and rub onto roll to seal.
Dampen a chef’s knife with a moist cloth. Carefully slice roll into 6-8 pieces. For easier cutting, make sure to clean and re-moisten blade with damp cloth in between each slice.

GARNISH OPTIONS: soy sauce*, wasabi, and/or pickled ginger

*use wheat-free soy sauce or Tamari if preparing gluten-free

Makes 4 veggie rolls
Serving size: 1 roll

Here raw cauliflower replaces traditional white rice- a delicious, and super nutritious, substitution.

INGREDIENTS
5 sheets Seaweed, Nori, dried
3 cups Cauliflower, fresh, rinsed
1 tablespoon Vinegar, rice
1 tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice wine)
1 tablespoon + as needed Water
½ tablespoon Sugar
2 tablespoon Sesame seeds, white
1 cup Carrots, peeled, cut matchstick
1 cup Cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut matchstick
1 cup Sprouts, alfalfa, fresh
¾ cup Avocado, fresh, cut wider matchstick
1/8 cup Ginger, pickled
4 tablespoons Tamari (or soy sauce), low sodium, gluten-free
To taste Wasabi

PREPARATION:
In food processor, chop cauliflower until pieces are the about size of grains of rice; transfer to large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk to combine vinegar, mirin, sugar and 1 tablespoon of water; mix in sesame seeds; pour vinegar mixture onto cauliflower and toss to combine.

Lay a Nori sheet out flat on a sushi roll mat. Wet edges of Nori sheet with a small amount of water. Spread a thin layer of cauliflower over sheet, leaving only about an inch of Nori on one edge uncovered. Lay carrot, cucumber, sprouts and avocado out in center of filling, making sure to extend filling slightly out on each end. Carefully roll sushi with mat up to uncovered end. Wet the uncovered Nori edge with water and press to seal shut.

Wet a sharp knife with a damp cloth. Cut roll into 8 pieces, continually wetting knife in between slicing.

Garnish: Serve with wasabi, ¾ tsp soy sauce, and a few pieces of pickled ginger

Makes 5 servings

SERVING SIZE: 1 roll/ 8 pieces

Healthy in the Kitchen

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