Recipes
Springtime Rolls with Miso-Kale Pesto

Springtime Rolls with Miso-Kale Pesto

By Hetty McKinnon

If spring had a flavor, it would be these brightly herbaceous "spring" rolls. The asparagus, snow peas, lettuce and abundant herbs provide a fresh, crisp mouthful, perfect for a gathering or a fun roll-it-yourself midweek dinner for the family. We're thrilled to share this recipes from one of our favorite cookbook authors, Hetty McKinnon.

Ingredients

Makes 12
Vegan and gluten free
  • 12 asparagus spears (about 5 ounces / 140 g), woody ends removed
  • 3 ounces (85 g) snow peas, trimmed
  • 3 1⁄2 ounces (100g) mung bean vermicelli, soaked in water for 15 minutes
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • 12 (8-inch / 20 cm) rice paper rounds
  • 12 romaine lettuce leaves
  • 1 avocado, cut into thin wedges
  • Handful of mint leaves
  • Handful of cilantro leaves
  • Handful of basil or Vietnamese mint leaves
  • Sea salt
MISO KALE PESTO
  • 3 1⁄2 ounces (100g) kale leaves
  • 1⁄2 cup (12g) basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 (45g) toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon white (Shiro) miso paste
  • 3⁄4 (185ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • Zest and juice of 1⁄2 lemon
  • Sea salt and black pepper
SUBSTITUTE
  • Mung bean vermicelli: rice vermicelli
  • Snow peas: sugar snap peas

Recipe

For the miso–kale pesto

  1. Bring a saucepan of well-salted water to the boil.
  2. Add the kale leaves and cook for 30–60 seconds, just until they are wiltedand bright green.
  3. Remove from the water with tongs (keep the water for the other veggies), place in a colander and rinse under cold water.
  4. Drain, then squeeze out any excess water.
  5. Roughly chop the kale and place in a food processor or blender.
  6. Add the basil, garlic and seeds and whiz to a paste.
  7. Add the miso, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil, lemon juice and about 2 tablespoons of water and blend again until combined.
  8. Stir in the lemon zest and season with sea salt and black pepper, then set aside.
  9. If your asparagus spears are long, snap them in half so they are about 4 inches (10 cm) in length.
  10. Bring the pan of salted water back to the boil, drop in the asparagus and snow peas and cook for about 1 minute until they are bright green.
  11. Remove from the water with tongs (keep the water for the vermicelli) and place in a colander, then immediately refresh under cold running water until completely cold.
  12. Add the mung bean vermicelli to the boiling water and cook for 1–2 minutes until completely transparent.
  13. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  14. Drizzle a little sesame oil over the vermicelli and season with a pinch of sea salt.
  15. Set aside.


To assemble the rolls

  1. Take a deep plate that is slightly larger than the rice paper rounds and pour in some lukewarm tap water.
  2. Working with one round at a time, dunk the rice paper into the water and allow to soften for 30–60 seconds—don’t let it get too soft or it will break when rolling.
  3. When softened, lay it out flat on a cutting board and assemble your filling.
  4. Starting at the edge of the rice paper closest to you (and leaving enough room to begin the rolling process), layer a piece of lettuce, followed by a small handful of vermicelli, asparagus, snow peas, avocado and herbs.

To roll

  1. Pull the edge closest to you over the filling—pull it tight to keep everything in place.
  2. Fold over once, then fold in the sides and continue to roll until you have a nice, tightly bound roll.
  3. Continue with the remaining wrappers and filling.

To serve

  1. Cut the rolls in half and serve with the miso–kale pesto.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil
Wonder Valley Olive Oil is a cook's best friend. This beautiful bottle of California extra virgin olive oil has a smooth, verdant flavor and elevates everyday cooking and eating. Well-suited to all kinds of cooking demands, but just as delicious simply mopped up by a crusty loaf of bread. This timeless superfood delivers a delicious dose of polyphenols, the powerful antioxidant associated with longevity of life. Our 2023 harvest oil was hand-picked from the sunny groves in Northern California's Lake County and pressed within hours of harvest by a master miller.
Meet Hetty McKinnon

Hetty McKinnon is a Chinese-Australian cook and food writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of four bestselling cookbooks, her genre-defining Community, Neighbourhood, the award-winning Family and her latest To Asia, With Love. Hetty is also the editor and publisher of multicultural food journal Peddler and the host of the magazine’s podcast The House Specials. She is a regular recipe contributor to New York Times Cooking, Bon Appetit, Epicurious, and ABC Everyday, and her recipes have appeared in Food52, The Guardian, Washington Post, Good Food and more.

Stay inspired with Hetty McKinnon's book "To Asia, With Love."