California Rice Spring Rolls!

it's Cali inspired Rice Spring Rolls!!

If you are craving a filling and lite meal, a veggie filled rice wrap is the way to go!! While being in LA, i've tried many sushi restaurants and noticed that the menu consists of many options I have never constantly seen before. Some of the options are: brown and white rice, soy and seaweed wrap, vegetarian and meat, and so on. I liked the idea of a soy wrap, as it sounds healthier than regular wraps. I ventured to WholeFoods to find the soy wraps, however, the worker brought me to the seaweed and rice wraps. At first thought I had no idea how or why one would be using these tire looking rice wraps. On that trip I finally found some amazing flavored soy wraps (I will expand on this within a future post, but for know just know it is AMAZING!) My mind kept wondering what I could do with the rice wraps, and so one night I bought a package and made these amazing veggie and tofu rolls!!!

Recipe (makes about 6 rolls)

Tofu  (I prefer Trader Joe's Firm, green label)
Zucchini
Cucumber
Carrot
Sweet Peppers
Chili Garlic Sauce
Spring Roll Wrappers
Kelp Noodles*
Avocado
Clove of Garlic
Salt & Pepper

Avocado Kelp Noodles

Take the Kelp Noodles out of the package and remove the amount you wish to use in the rolls. I normally use half the package. Rinse under warm water and drain. Mix Avocado and minced clove of Garlic with the Kelp. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside for Kelp to soften.

If you are not into tofu (at first I was not) you can use another protein of your choice! Cut tofu or protein in to long slivers, about 1 cm in width. Set aside.

Take the Zucchini, Cucumber, and Sweet Pepper and Carrots and slice them up, either using a spiral cutter, a slicer, or a good 'ol knife. I use a spiral cutter its fun and quick! Slicing the veggies work just as well.  You want to make slivers long enough for a good size bite,  but not too long as shorter slices (2 inches or less) make eating a roll easier. Once all veggies sliced, set aside.

Wrap softening in Sauce Pan

Roll it up!

Take a good size sauce pan and fill it with water, pan must be around the size of the wrappers. Place pan on stove on low. Once water is heated add one wrapper and wait about 2-3 minutes and remove from pan. Set on a damp paper cloth or towel.  Lastly add your fillings of choice, then roll it up and enjoy!






The great thing about making these rolls at home is you can add anything of your choice! Perhaps, make a berry spring roll with mixed berries, mild cheese (goat) and basil?!?  It definitely is a nutritiously delicious meal, side or snack!! Yum!

*Also, to store left over Kelp Noodles. The unused/not washed Kelp Noodles, place in a container with about 2  cm of water. Then store in the fridge, last about 6 weeks. If you have left over avocado Kelp Noodles, store in a container and eat within the next few days.

it's a Turtle's Race!

Brennan's Pub - Famous Turtle Race!

Brennan's Pub is home to the original turtle races. The turtle races are held every Thursday, twice a night!! You can bring your own turtle or rent one of theirs. Its pretty simple, the turtles are placed in middle of a circle then released. Once released they are free to run towards the outside of the circle, first one to hit the outside circle line wins! There are a few rules while watching and participating in the turtle races, the main rule to know is "Don't Point at the Turtles!" And well if you break the rule, you pay. Literally you pay, I think when I was there it is a starting fine of $10 dollars for pointing. It was quite funny, even though people knew the rule or perhaps they were a bit tipsy they still pointed. All laughed it off and all paid up! 

On the particular thursday night I had gone, there was quite the crowd. No seats were to be found around the turtle races. Not only does Brennan make the race exciting and interesting but also it makes placing the turtles exciting (mainly for the men). Usually ladies were the ones to place the turtles and they had to in a 'sexy' lean over fashion. If they did it wrong, one of the turtle referees flagged them to repeat the placing of the turtles. 

What more could you want out of a local bar? The drinks were reasonably priced (for LA) and there are many different beers to choose from. Oh and on this and other nights they have local bands performing. Beer, Music, and Turtles makes for a fun local bar!