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Spinach and Egg Rolls

This is a very popular, simple and healthy home-style Chinese dish — thin omelette sheets rolled around blanched spinach with a light savory filling. 



It’s often served as a cold appetizer, breakfast item, lunchbox food or side dish. The rolls are tender, colorful, mildly seasoned and look elegant when sliced.

Ingredients (makes 6–8 rolls)Egg sheets
  • Eggs — 4 large
  • Salt — ¼ tsp
  • Cooking oil — 1–2 tsp (for frying)
Spinach filling
  • Fresh spinach — 300–400 g (about 10–12 cups packed)
  • Garlic — 2–3 cloves, minced
  • Light soy sauce — 1–1½ tsp
  • Sesame oil — 1 tsp
  • Salt — ¼–½ tsp (to taste)
  • Sugar — ½ tsp (optional, balances flavor)
  • White pepper — small pinch
  • Toasted sesame seeds — 1–2 tsp (optional, for garnish)
Optional add-ins for extra flavor/texture
  • Carrot — ½ small, julienned or finely shredded (blanched)
  • Wood ear fungus — 20 g dried (soaked, blanched, shredded)
  • Cooked ham or crab stick — 50 g, julienned (for richer versions)
Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Blanch the spinach
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt.
    • Add spinach in batches. Blanch 20–30 seconds until bright green and wilted.
    • Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water (or very cold water) to stop cooking and keep the color vivid.
    • Drain well. Squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands (very important — wet spinach makes rolls soggy).
    • Chop roughly or leave in longer strands (depending on preference).
  2. Season the spinach
    • In a bowl, mix blanched spinach with minced garlic, light soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, sugar, white pepper, and optional toasted sesame seeds.
    • Toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning (it should be savory, garlicky, and lightly aromatic).
    • Let sit 5–10 minutes so flavors absorb.
  3. Make the egg sheets
    • Crack eggs into a bowl. Add ¼ tsp salt. Beat well until fully combined (no streaks).
    • Heat a non-stick pan (20–24 cm diameter) over medium-low heat.
    • Lightly brush with oil (use a paper towel — very thin layer).
    • Pour in a thin layer of egg mixture (about ¼ of total for each sheet). Swirl pan quickly to spread into a thin, even circle.
    • Cook 30–60 seconds until set and edges lift slightly (do not brown — it should stay pale yellow).
    • Flip carefully (or slide onto a plate and invert back into pan) and cook 10–15 seconds more.
    • Slide onto a cutting board or plate. Repeat to make 4 thin egg sheets.
    • Let cool slightly.
  4. Assemble the rolls
    • Place one egg sheet on a clean surface or bamboo mat (optional).
    • Spread a thin, even layer of seasoned spinach across the sheet (leave 1–2 cm border at the top edge).
    • If using carrot, ham, or wood ear: arrange thin strips in a line near the bottom edge.
    • Starting from the bottom, roll tightly into a cylinder (like rolling sushi).
    • Seal the end by pressing gently (egg is slightly sticky when cool).
    • Repeat with remaining sheets and filling.
  5. Slice & serve
    • Trim the ends for neatness (optional).
    • Cut each roll into 1.5–2 cm thick slices with a sharp knife (wipe knife between cuts for clean edges).
    • Arrange slices cut-side up on a plate.
    • Serve chilled or at room temperature as an appetizer, side dish, or snack.
Quick Tips for Best Result
  • Egg sheet thinness → Thin sheets roll easier and look prettier. Use low heat and swirl quickly.
  • Squeeze spinach well → Excess water makes rolls soggy and fall apart.
  • Flavor balance → Garlic and sesame oil are the stars — don’t skip them. Sugar is subtle but rounds out the taste.
  • Make ahead → Rolls can be made 4–6 hours in advance and refrigerated (cover tightly). Slice just before serving.
  • Variations
    • Add shredded chicken, imitation crab, or dried shrimp for richer filling.
    • For spicy version: mix chili oil or chili crisp into the spinach.
    • For vegan: replace egg sheets with thin tofu skin or rice paper.
  • Storage → Refrigerate up to 1 day (texture best on day of making). Do not freeze.
This dish is light, fresh, colorful and full of gentle savory flavor — a perfect Chinese home-style cold dish.

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Spinach and Egg Rolls

This is a very popular, simple and healthy home-style Chinese dish — thin omelette sheets rolled around blanched spinach with a light savor...

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