Summer Rolls with CookingWithClaire

Tips

A few tips for prepping the summer rolls:

- Soak your rice papers until they are soft and floppy

- Cut all your veg super thin

- Trim off the stems on the kale and trim the pea shoots to the right size

- Place all your ingredients in center of the wrap, leaving ample room on all 4 sides to roll

- Fold the short ends of the wrap over first and then roll your wrap lengthwise pulling it tight

- Serve with a sweetened chili sauce

Yesterday my friend Claire Phelan invited me over to make some fresh summer rolls with the leftover supplies from the dinner she prepared for the University of Pennsylvania’s Alpha Phi sorority where she is the chef. Sunday through Thursday Claire prepares beautiful, healthy and elaborate dinners for the members of Alpha Phi. All you have to do is look at her Instagram (@cookingwithclaire) to see how she translates her passion for healthy, mindful eating into gorgeous flavorful meals for 20, not to mention the “late plates” she packs up for the sorority girls who are missing dinner to attend classes or study. During the summers she caters private events and hosts amazing creative pop-up dinners in Philadelphia, so give her a shout if you want to throw an amazing dinner party or are hosting an event this summer.

Claire and I went to Bard College together and both grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. It has been an amazing support and inspiration to have such a close friend who also understands what it’s like to own your own business and pursue your creative dreams. She definitely put my meticulousness and dexterity to the test with the task of assembling and rolling these summer rolls.