Avocado Egg Rolls with Cilantro Dipping Sauce - Friday Foodie

I know that I boasted that I was going to post about how to caramelize onions today but I made this fantastic dinner Wednesday night that I just had to post about.

I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I really like the Kona Grill happy hour appetizers. Okay, I’ll fess up. I love happy hour. I love happy hour anywhere and anytime. If restaurants would have happy hour all day I would be the happiest of women. It is not the drinks, okay it is, but the little food works for me too. I’m little. I like little food. Unfortunately, I like a lot of little food.

Anyhoo, the Kona Grill makes these avocado egg rolls with a cilantro dipping sauce that we love. Of course, I said to myself; “Self, you could make that.” And, I did. Now, I’m passing it on to you.

Avocado Egg Rolls with Cilantro Dipping Sauce.

Cilantro Dipping Sauce

2 bunches cilantro

3 teaspoons honey

½ teaspoon fresh lime juice

Approximately ¼ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

In food processor place cilantro, honey, lime juice. Pulse until smooth adding olive oil slowly to make a sauce. This is like making a runny pesto. Taste just a little. It should taste like sweet cilantro. You may want to add a little salt or lime juice.

Let this sit while you make the egg rolls. This is pretty important. The waiting time lets the flavors blend. We want the flavors to blend. When they do you’ll want to drink this stuff with a straw. Resist. You will be well rewarded grasshopper.

Filling

4 avocados

½ medium tomato, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

½ teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ lime, juiced

½ teaspoon salt

8 to 16 egg roll wrappers

4 tablespoons olive oil or enough to cover the bottom of the pan

Salt

Heat olive oil (you could use cooking spray if you are trying to cut the calories) in skillet over medium heat. If you don’t have a cast iron fry pan I guess a non-stick one will do just don't let it heat up as much. When you’ve got time promptly go buy a cast iron one. You will not be sorry. If you need help with your purchase let me know. Please don’t be scared off by that whole "seasoning your pan” thing. We can so work with this.

This is a basic chunky guacamole. Cut all avocados in half. Scoop out yummy center. Put into a bowl. Lick spoon. Repeat. Chop the tomato, green onions and garlic. Toss into bowl with avocados. Put seasonings and lime into bowl. Mash gently with potato masher. You want big chunks so don’t go over board of this.

Egg roll wrappers can be bought at your local grocery store. Peel one off. That's about the hardest part of this recipe. Getting the wrappers to come apart.

Place about 2 (for appetizers) to 4 (for side dish) tablespoons of the avocado mixture at one end of the wrapper. Roll once. Fold in the sides.

Continue to roll. When you get to the end wet the wrapper with water. Finish rolling. Keep making egg rolls until you’ve used all the filling. Place them on a damp paper towel covered with a damp paper towel. You don’t want them to dry out.

Place in the preheated skillet. Don't over crowd the pan. Brown egg rolls on each side turning when needed. When brown on each side place on paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with salt.

Serve with dipping sauce.

* Most if not all of the measurements are approximate. I cook by the "taste and add" method. Taste it then add if necessary. I'm also pretty naughty about writing this down as I go.

Now, a lot of you are going to say; “Michele, that is not dinner fare.” But truly these are so filling that they could easily be a side or main dish. You could make these smaller to serve at or take to a party. When The Stiletto Mom gets that case of wine in October I am so bringing these to her house. Sure, she hasn’t technically invited me but what do I care. I’ll just show up. What’s she going to do; turn away awesome food? I don’t think so.

Love,

M

Sorry about the blurry photos. I'm not exactly sure why this happened. I hadn't even had a glass of wine yet. Yeah, it baffled me too. And, if you couldn't tell I'm a pretty messy cook. I roll that way.

This would be a great Meatless Monday recipe. It doesn't take very long and avocados are really good for you. Need more meatless recipes? They've got got a bundle of them here: