These gluten free vegan paleo friendly protein rainbow summer cold rolls with a hearty lentil and rice filling are an easy fuss-free, no bake appetizer or meal for hot summer nights.
Summer had a slow start here in Canada, but now it’s rearing its sweaty, humid, hot head and I’m desperate not to cook. These gluten free vegan protein rainbow summer cold rolls are the perfect summer appetizer or lunch because they’re packed with fibre, protein and healthy fats to keep you satiated, but are blessedly cold. I mean, I’m in Canada for Gds sake, and even I don’t feel like eating hot food. I can only imagine what my friends and followers are thinking who are reading this from LA, Florida and Texas.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Holla at me if you’re boycotting hot food with these Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls!” quote=”Holla at me if you’re boycotting hot food with these Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls!”]
How to Make Protein Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls
If you have vegetables, a can of beans or lentils, and some leftover grains in your fridge, you can make these Protein Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls that are vegan, gluten free and paleo approved. They start with a quickie cashew sauce using pantry staples I always have. Can you use almond butter? Hells yes. Peanut butter? Of course! Use whatever nut butter you’ve got and they will turn out delish.
To make a lean, mean, high fibre and high protein base I use lentils, brown rice and sweet potatoes. The sweetness really balances the savoury nutty sauce and makes these addictively good. Now we have fun! I called these Gluten Free Vegan Protein Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls because they’re crazy colourful with the herbs and shredded veg. I use a combination of carrots, red and golden beets, plus cilantro, basil and mint. The result is a flavour bomb of textures, flavours and colours that is almost too pretty to eat. Okay, so they’re definitely getting eaten (but maybe they deserve an instagram shot first).
These are fantastic for a quick assembly meal, or for entertaining when you’ve got friends with a wide range of dietary concerns since they’re vegan, gluten free and paleo approved!
Now I want to know, what are your favourite add-ins for cold summer rolls?
Have you tried making my Gluten Free Vegan Protein Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls?
Leave me a comment below with your favourite combinations!
Protein Rainbow Summer Cold Rolls with Cashew Lentil Filling
Ingredients
Cashew Sauce
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. natural cashew butter
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. lite coconut milk
- 2 tsp reduced sodium tamari gluten free
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- Sriracha to taste
Rolls
- 16 round rice papers
- 1 cup raw brown rice
- 1 can lentils rinsed and drained
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato
- Pinch each of salt and pepper
- 1 red beet peeled and grated
- 1 golden beet peeled and grated
- 1 large carrot peeled and grated
- 1 bunch of mint
- 1 bunch of basil
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 1/3 cup cashews toasted
Instructions
- Mix together the cashew sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Cook the brown rice according to package directions and allow to cool. Mix in the lentils and sweet potato as well as half of the cashew sauce. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper, to taste.
- Fill a large bowl with warm water. Submerge the rice paper into the water for 2 seconds and transfer to a clean board or counter with the smooth side of the paper facing down.
- Towards the bottom quarter of the roll add a pinch each of the shredded veggies, herbs and cashews. Top with a generous 1/3 cup or so of the rice and lentil mixture. Fold the left and right edges of the rice paper inwards, then starting at the bottom, roll it up to cover all of the filling. Serve hand held with the remaining cashew sauce.
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian, an avid food writer and blogger, a cookbook author and the founder of Abbey’s Kitchen Inc.
jill conyers says
I have a thing about foods I can wrap. This looks like a perfect light lunch. And tasty too.
Abbey Sharp says
haha yes! Everything is better in a roll lol
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
I’ve never made a cold summer roll, but these look divine for a hot day! I love how colorful they are – perfect for a summer party.
Abbey Sharp says
Yeah girl! So perfect for that occasion 🙂
Esther says
I love all the gorgeous colors Abbey! They almost look too beautiful to eat!
Natalie says
These rolls look so delicious Abbey. And that cashew sauce.. oh my… just yummy!
Abbey Sharp says
so delish! You must try Natalie 🙂
Ilka says
This is definitely a recipe I would to try! So perfect and light for Summer!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes, I’m all about the light meals in this heat!
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
Love the lentils!!
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
I posted too early! Ha. I meant to also add that I love that it’s also meat free. Definitely perfect in this Toronto heat.
Abbey Sharp says
haha yes! Toronto’s been getting cray lately!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I love summer rolls too have not tried with the sweet potato great idea
Abbey Sharp says
tastes amazing!
Susan says
Are the beets raw, I am assuming they are.
Abbey Sharp says
Yes!
Rachel says
Wow. Not only are these packed with nutrition, but they’re so darn pretty! I wonder if I could make them look halfway decent if I made them…
Abbey Sharp says
Yes totally you can! I believe!