Spicy Papaya Avocado Summer Rolls

Papaya is one of my favorite fruits, and it just so happens to be the perfect addition to these spicy avocado summer rolls. The heat of Thai chilis coupled with the coolness of the papaya, avocado, and tofu creates a sensation in your mouth of hot and cold with every bite.

Prep the inner ingredients of this meal ahead of time to let the flavors meld, and enjoy an easy-to-assemble wrap for next day’s lunch. This juicy rice paper wrap may get messy, so be prepared with napkins for this sticky, refreshing meal.

spicy papaya avocado rolls on a plate with dark green caption

Spicy Papaya Avocado Summer Rolls

Recipe Type: Appetizers Detox

YIELDS 4-6 servings

PREP TIME 20 min

COOK TIME 05 min

TOTAL TIME 25 min

1/2 papaya
1 bunch cilantro
2 avocados
3 large carrots
5 mini cucumbers
16oz silken tofu
2 T soy sauce
2 T oil
1 T minced garlic
Thai Chili Vinaigrette
2 limes (freshly squeezed)
2 thai chilis (more or less to taste)
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp soy sauce

Directions

1. Pour warm water into a bowl and combine with 1 tsp sugar, stirring until dissolved.

2. Wash and mince cilantro and Thai chilis, pouring into the sugar-water mixture along with the juice of two limes, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, and soy sauce.

3. Stir until well-combined and set aside.

4. Peel carrots and cut both the carrots and cucumbers into tiny slivers.

5. Find a shallow, small container and place the carrots and cucumbers inside, pouring the Thai chili vinaigrette over top (reserving 2 Tbsp of the vinaigrette for later). Let sit for 2–4 hours so the carrots and cucumbers can soak up the flavor.

6. Remove silken tofu from its container and place on a plate or shallow bowl.

7. Drain excess water and steam in microwave for five minutes at 80 percent power, placing a wax paper or lid over top.

8. After tofu steams, heat up 2 Tbsp oil of your choosing along with 2 T of soy sauce, 1 T minced garlic, and 2 Tbsp reserved Thai chili vinaigrette in a bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds.

9. Once tofu is out of the oven, drizzle oil sauce over top, and let it seep into the tofu while the carrot and cucumbers are marinating.

10. After the tofu, carrots, and cucumbers are properly marinated, it’s time to assemble.

11. Cut slivers of avocado and papaya and set aside.

12. Place rice paper in a shallow pie pan with water, soaking until the rice paper is sticky and malleable.

13. Place slivers of carrots, cucumbers, avocado, papaya, tofu, and cilantro leaves in the center of the rice paper wrap, and then fold like a burrito into a spring roll.

Enjoy!

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Photo: Dana Drosdick