Healthy Spring Rolls - The Airfryer Way!!

There is good news for all of us sweating out there - the Monsoons finally seem to have arrived!! 

I know it must have have brought big smiles and a great sense of relief to all the Delhi people, who have by now had just about enough of the unending sweltering heat the last few days, which obstinately was refusing to simmer down its scorching temperatures. We will think about all the problems that the rains brings along with it later, but for the time being lets revel in the moment and enjoy the cool air and the beautiful change of season.

Come monsoons and your taste buds automatically start craving for hot and spicy fried foods -  a plate of hot pakoras accompanied perfectly with a steaming cup of tea tempts you to throw caution to the winds and makes even the strongest of us forget all resolutions about losing weight. But not with this recipe. You can actually have your cake and eat it too. 

Can you imagine hot, crispy spring rolls without a drop of oil? Don't believe it? It is actually possible with Philips Airfryer which is basically a multi-cooker that lets you cook food without the need for oil. The Airfryer has 'Rapid Air Technology" which uses circulating hot air and a grill element to cook the food evenly without the need of vegetable oil. Now you actually don't have to worry yourself sick about the amount of oil you have consumed when indulging in your guilty pleasures and most importantly without compromising on the taste. It is a win-win situation!!

If you want to know what more you can do in the Philips Airfryer, you can check out my earlier posts - "Healthy oil free Gujiyas" and "Papaya and Jaggery cake".

Atleast I am totally smitten with the Airfryer. I find that it is not just another gadget which will occupy space on your kitchen cabinet and lies forgotten, but it actually delivers what it promises. It is perfect for those of you who are health conscious and and want to keep the use of oil to minimum. You will be surprised how quickly it cooks things with the least amount of effort. Start eating the healthy way with the Airfyer, make it your way of life too and I can assure you that like me, you too will fall in love with it.

So now, you no longer have to say no to your favorite fried food !! Just go ahead and indulge yourself and enjoy  the flavor of these monsoons with your favorite crispy fried snacks without an iota of guilt.

Ingredients:

1 packet of Spring Roll Wrappers - thawed if frozen (Try in a supermarket or even your nearest department store- you will be surprised how easily available they are now)

1/2 cabbage - sliced in thin strips

1 small carrot julienned

1 onion, finely sliced

1 tsp finely chopped ginger

1 spring onions, finely sliced lengthways

200 gms boneless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp light soy sauce

2 tbsp cornflour

salt and pepper to taste

Method

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan till smoking. Add the cabbage, carrots, onions, spring onions, and ginger. Saute the vegetables quickly on very high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, oyster sauce and soy sauce. Be careful not to overcook. The vegetables must still have a crunch. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool down.

In the same add the chicken and stir fry for 3-4 minutes. Season. Stir in with the vegetables till well mixed and keep aside to cool.

Make a thick paste of cornflour with 1 tbsp water.

These are the spring roll sheets I got and that too most surprisingly from my local supermarket. There were over 20 sheets in one packet. You need to thaw them to room temperature before separating the sheets. The great thing about this spring roll wrapper is that what you don't use you can throw them back in the freezer to reuse.

Peel your spring roll wrapper off and lay down one sheet on the surface like a diamond as shown..Cover the unused wrappers under a damp cloth as they dry off very quickly. 

Divide the filling into equal portions. Place some filling on one corner of the wrapper.

Roll tightly and when you are about halfway stop and fold in the opposite corners towards the middle so it looks like an envelope. Brush each corner with the cornflour paste.

Roll the pastry tightly towards the top corner.

Repeat with the remaining spring roll wrappers and fillings.

Place them seam side down (helps secure the corner so that the corners don't open). keep the rolls covered under a damp cloth.

Heat the Airfryer for 10 minutes @ 200. Brush the rolls with oil and place in the Airfryer basket.Cook for 5-8 minutes or till golden and crispy. You will be seriously impressed how crispy these spring rolls turn out to be and that too without oil.

Cut into smaller pieces and serve hot.

Some important Tips (from the net)

• The best way to defrost a spring roll wrappers : overnight in the refrigerator or keep out on the counter for 30 minutes.
• once the wrapper are defrosted,, open the package and immediately cover with a barely damp towel. The wrappers will quickly dry out and get cracked if left out in the open uncovered.
• if the wrappers  dry out and are stiff, you can put a few wrappers on the plate, cover with a damp towel and microwave on medium for 10 minutes. The wrappers will soften up.