Jun 30th 10 Posted in Dawn Walker - chef, Featured Writers, Food, Wine & Travel

confused by rolls?

Egg Roll, Spring Roll, Summer Roll. What’s the Difference?
A Quick Guide to Making a Healthy Choice.
 
There you are at your favorite Chinese restaurant. You’re looking at the menu trying to decide what to get: egg roll? spring roll? summer roll? Often the words are used interchangeably. What is the difference anyway? Here’s a quick and easy guide to navigating the menu and making the healthiest choice.

The Wrapping  – Egg Rolls usually have a thicker, heavier wrapping made with egg dough and are brushed with an egg batter. Spring rolls have thinner, flour wrappers. Summer Rolls are made with almost translucent rice-based wrappers, called rice paper.

Cooking Method – The biggest difference between the three is in the way they are prepared. Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls are deep-fried and usually have a crunchy, flaky texture. They are served hot, fresh from the fryer. The healthier alternative, the Summer Roll, is made by soaking the rice paper in warm water before filling and is often served at room temperature. Summer Rolls also have a much softer texture.

Filling – Egg Rolls are more likely to be filled with meat (chicken, pork or beef) and minced vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, onions, mushrooms and water chestnuts. Spring Rolls don’t have bean sprouts and usually include shredded cabbage and carrots. Summer Rolls typically have rice noodles and an assortment of vegetables.

Appetizer vs. Main Course – Egg Rolls & Spring Rolls are both traditionally served as appetizers before a meal. Summer Rolls, on the other hand, are bigger, more substantial and served as a main course.

Depending on the restaurant or chef any or all of these things may vary, but now at least you have the basics. Enjoy!

Blogger Bio

Chef Dawn Walker is owner of Dawn’s Dinners, SCV’s best kept dinner secret. This week’s menu of dinner’s that can be ordered for your family, can be found on Chef Dawn’s website: www.ChefDawn.com.  When you purchase meals from Chef Dawn, you get more than wholesome food…you get to relax and spend quality time with your family around the dinner table!  Click here to order or to find out more informaton.

Whats on the menu for Week of June 14th?

Tuesday, June 15    Shrimp Summer Rolls
                                       Chicken, Lemon & Olive Stew with Saffron Couscous
Thursday, June 17 Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Fresh Vegetables

Also Available
As always, there is a wide range of meals available frozen.  To see frozen options, go to my website.  Choices include Cheese Stuffed Shells or Manicotti,  Turkey Sloppy Joes Stuffed Roasted Sweet Potatoes ,  Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Carrots,  Apricot Chicken.  You can order via email or online or by calling Dawn at 661-803-2166.

One Response to “confused by rolls?”

1. Vanessa Plotkin says:

   July 15, 2010 at 8:45 pm

   Yum! thank you for the insight. I really had no idea there were such big differences. I love the summer rolls though. They sound delicious
   Sincerely,
   Vanessa P.