Tasty Tuesday + A Challenge

If you are an avocado fan or an egg roll fan, you have got to try these delicious little goodies. For those of you who have eaten The Cheesecake Factory's avocado egg rolls, this recipe by far comes closer than all others that I have tried to find comparable. As a treat before my sister heads back home tomorrow, I am making these yummies tonight for everyone.

Avocado Egg Rolls

Dipping Sauce

3 -4 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon tamarind pulp
1/2 cup honey
1 pinch powdered saffron
1/2 cup chopped cashews
2/3 cup fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves
2 green onions
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup olive oil

Egg Rolls

1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, & diced
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
1 tablespoon minced red onion
1/2 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 pinch salt
3 egg roll wraps
1 egg, beaten

Serves:2-4 (I always double the recipe)

1. Stir together vinegars, tamarind, honey, and saffron in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave for 1 minute.
2. Stir until tamarind is dissolved.
3. In a blender, Puree tamarind mixture, cashews, 2/3 cup cilantro, garlic, onions, sugar, pepper, and cumin.
4. Pour mixture into a bowl and stir in oil.
5. Refrigerate until ready to use.
6. Gently stir together avocado, tomatoes, onion, 1/2 teaspoon cilantro, and salt.
7. Distribute filling evenly onto center of each egg roll wrapper.
8. Position a wrapper so that a corner is pointing toward you; fold the bottom corner up, 1/4 of the way over the filling.
9. Brush remaining corners and edges of the wrapper with egg, roll up from side to side, fold top corner over all and press to seal.
10. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
11. Continue by deep-frying the egg rolls in 375 degree oil for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown.
12. Drain on brown paper bags.

13. Slice egg rolls diagonally across middle and serve with prepared dipping sauce!

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If you have not ever visited the blog of Jessica, over at Kitchen Belleicious, you do not even how much you are missing out on some super delicious recipes! To go along with my avocado egg rolls, I am making the fabulous Shrimp and Mushroom lasagna that can be found on her website here, or in recipe form here. Jessica has decided to hold an interactive 2011 Recipe Challenge! She has come up with 12 recipes to try this year; one per month. She has challenged all of us to try out a new recipe each month, too! If you would like more information about it, click here or the link below.