Mediterranean Fresh Spring Rolls with Feta and Hummus

• •16 sheets rice paper wrappers, 8.5-inch diameter
• •0.5 cup hummus
• •0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• •1 large cucumber, peeled and julienned
• •1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and julienned
• •1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• •0.3 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• •2 cup baby spinach leaves
• •0.3 cup fresh mint leaves
• •0.3 cup fresh parsley leaves
• •1 chickpeas, canned, rinsed and drained
• •0.8 cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat or 2%
• •2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• •2 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
• •1 garlic clove, minced
• •1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• • to taste salt
• • to taste black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Lemon-Dill Yogurt Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust salt and black pepper as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. 2

   Prepare the filling ingredients: Arrange all the julienned cucumber, julienned red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, baby spinach leaves, fresh mint leaves, fresh parsley leaves, crumbled feta cheese, and rinsed chickpeas on a large platter or in separate small bowls. This creates an efficient assembly line for rolling.

3. 3

   Set up your rolling station: Fill a shallow dish (wider than your rice paper wrappers) with warm water. Have a clean, damp cutting board or a large, non-porous plate ready as your rolling surface.

4. 4

   Soften a rice paper wrapper: Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for 15-20 seconds, or until it becomes pliable and flexible but not overly soft or sticky. It will continue to soften as you work with it.

5. 5

   Assemble the roll: Carefully lay the softened wrapper flat on your damp rolling surface. Spread a thin layer of hummus across the bottom third of the wrapper, leaving about an inch of space from the edges.

6. 6

   Layer the filling: Arrange a small amount of baby spinach, a few pieces of cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomato, red onion, a few chickpeas, a sprinkle of feta, and a couple of mint and parsley leaves on top of the hummus. Be mindful not to overfill, as this will make rolling difficult.

7. 7

   Fold the wrapper: Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper up over the filling, tucking it snugly. Then, fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the center.

8. 8

   Roll tightly: Starting from the bottom, tightly and evenly roll the wrapper upwards towards the top, creating a neat, compact spring roll.

9. 9

   Repeat and serve: Place the finished roll seam-side down on a serving platter. Repeat steps 4-8 with the remaining wrappers and filling ingredients until all rolls are made. Serve the Mediterranean Fresh Spring Rolls immediately with the chilled Lemon-Dill Yogurt Dipping Sauce.

Chef's Tips

• 💡Do not overfill the spring rolls. This is the most common mistake and can lead to torn wrappers or rolls that are difficult to manage.
• 💡Keep your rolling surface slightly damp. This helps prevent the rice paper from sticking and tearing during the rolling process.
• 💡These fresh spring rolls are best enjoyed immediately. If you need to make them a couple of hours in advance, cover them loosely with a damp paper towel and then plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out, and refrigerate. They may become slightly chewier over time.
• 💡For added protein, consider adding thinly sliced grilled chicken breast, pan-fried halloumi cheese, or even cooked shrimp to the filling.
• 💡Experiment with different fresh herbs like fresh oregano or chives to vary the flavor profile of the rolls or the dipping sauce.