Spicy Vegetarian Eggrolls
This month’s recipe was submitted by Mellissa Ramirez, a member of the company’s Human Resource Department. In fact, it reflects part of her job of working to find solutions and supporting each member of every Team in the company. Sometimes that requires compromise, like this recipe.
“I created this recipe to bring my family together,” Mellissa explained. “Although I love fresh veggies, my family does not share the same passion. They do, however, love Asian cuisine and fried finger food. The flavors of ginger, garlic, chili paste, and fresh diced veggies wrapped in a crispy eggroll wrapper create a mouthwatering experience. Mine look like Chimichangas, so they should be folded as such (see recipe for method). They are vegetarian, so you can eat 4-5!”
This writer can attest to the surprising lightness of these rolls that I expected to be as dense as their weight on a plate suggested. Instead, one eggroll turned into two and then a third before I was satisfied and also experienced that old truism -- I was hungry again an hour later! While the recipe measures will make 6-7 rolls, it would be more practical to double or even triple these measures, then freeze what is not gobbled up at first serving.
The other practical tip for Mellissa’s recipe is to prepare all ingredients ahead before beginning the cooking process. Mise en Place is the French culinary term for it, which literally means “everything in its place”. Meaning, doing all the slicing, dicing, peeling and measuring, then organizing of ingredients. For this recipe, which requires grouping the prepared ingredients into the first and second sautés. If followed, this recipe only takes a few minutes to cook down the ingredients in two stages, cool, then fold into an eggroll sheet and air fry. If no actual air-fryer is available, use the “Convection” setting on your oven which will take a bit longer, or bake them. Mellissa’s point is not to deep fry in oil. The batch done for this blog was done is a convection oven.
Mellissa Ramirez has worked in the HR department for about a year and a half now. She finds her role both multi-faceted, interesting and challenging. And very different from the role of a typical HR position.
“My job is to be a support for all the company’s team members. My door is always open for any associate concerns. I try to engage with associates across state lines and make a point to connect with them when they visit the office. Also, whether it be hiring for a position or rolling up my sleeves to help at an event, I am always ready to offer my opinion, or sometimes just two helping hands are all that is needed.”
When she is not at work, Mellissa loves to garden, go to music and art festivals, as well as try new restaurants. She and Rudy have two kids, a son Matthew, and a daughter, Morgan. The Ramirez family also includes two dogs, two cats, and two tortoises (never call ‘em turtles!).
When asked for a famous person, living or from history, to invite to her own table in her wishes & dreams, Mellissa was quick to respond.
“That would be Martha Stewart. I love how she reinvented herself at 50 and became such a boss of her own life. Plus, we both find joy in cooking, entertaining, and creating a warm home, so I could learn from her wisdom. I feel like she's a well-rounded person with an overall good sense of style. Oh, and Snoop Dogg is her bestie: Wild!”
And I agree, ending this blog with thoughts of Snoop Dog. That is, on a Caribbean beach, quenching his palate with that favorite brew & lime of his between bites of Mellissa's Spicy Eggrolls.
Spicy Vegetarian Eggrolls
Yield 6-7 rolls
Ingredients
1 c Chopped carrots
1 small onion (White, yellow or 4 green onions)
4 cloves garlic, diced or pressed
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 TBS Sesame oil
2 TBS EV Olive oil
Add
2 tbs Garlic chili paste
¼ c low sodium soy sauce or aminos
1 pkg Pealed & Steamed Chestnuts, chopped
1 c Sno peas, chopped
1 c Napa cabbage, chopped
1 c mushrooms
1 c Shelled Edamame, chopped
Preparation
Prepare all ingredients before starting the recipe, as preparation goes quickly!
Sauté for 5 minutes the carrot, onion, garlic and ginger in sesame and olive oils
Add to the mixture the rest of the ingredients and sauté 3 minutes more. Use Melissa’s eggroll wrappers and fill them full of the mixture. Spray with avocado oil. Air fry at 250º for 3-4 minutes and flip for another 3-4 minutes (varies with machine and preference).
