Robin's Healthy Take: Egg Rolls

Take-out egg rolls aren't the healthiest fare, but Robin's lightened-up, baked-not-fried recipe is just the thing to soothe your cravings without busting your waistline.
egg rolls

For my Healthy Eats posts, I seem to be on a roll when it comes to revamping America’s favorite restaurant fare. That said, I couldn’t forget the amazing egg roll. When I was pregnant with BOTH of my boys, I craved egg rolls like there was no tomorrow. Thankfully, I lived within walking distance to a fabulous Asian restaurant. When cravings struck, I took a stroll. Turns out, it’s a good thing I hoofed it; one egg roll (an appetizer) dishes up 1/3 of your salt intake for the day. And, of course, I always ate two. Here are the rest of the stats for the average egg roll:

1 Egg Roll:
Calories: 200-350
Total Fat: 8-15 grams
Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
Total Carbohydrate: 16-33 grams
Sugars: 2-4 grams
Protein: 8-17 grams
Sodium: 390-580 milligrams
Cholesterol: 20-40 milligrams
Fiber: 1-2 grams

For you egg-roll-cravers out there, I’ve got the perfect recipe. The filling is a simple and sensational blend of sautéed chicken, cole slaw mix (cabbage and carrots), rice vinegar and sesame oil. The golden-brown egg rolls are baked not fried and served with a tangy soy-mirin-cilantro dipping sauce. You can actually enjoy TWO egg rolls for the calories of ONE restaurant roll (and just 3 grams of fat). Pregnant or not, they’re sure to become your favorite. Oh, and make a big batch because they freeze really well (freeze them before baking). You’ll definitely want lots on hand for last minute cravings (and houseguests).

Chicken Egg Rolls with Mirin-Soy Dipping Sauce

Note: Bake frozen egg rolls straight from the freezer (no thawing necessary). Just add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.

Cooking spray
2 cups diced raw chicken breast
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated

16-ounce package shredded cole slaw mix (cabbage and carrots or green and purple cabbage and carrots)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar (regular or seasoned)
12 egg roll wrappers (7-inch square)
Mirin-Soy Dipping Sauce
3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese rice wine)
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chopped scallions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3-5 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, stirring frequently. Add sesame oil, ginger and garlic and cook 1 minute.

Add slaw mix and rice vinegar and cook 3 minutes, until cabbage wilts and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.

Arrange egg roll wrappers on a flat surface. Spoon an equal amount of chicken-cabbage mixture across the center of wrapper in a diagonal (from point to point). Pull one point/corner up and over filling. Fold in sides and roll up completely (roll up tightly). With moistened fingers (dip in water), seal the last point/corner to the roll.

Transfer egg rolls to prepared baking sheet and bake 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

Meanwhile, to make the dipping sauce, whisk together all ingredients and serve with egg rolls.

Serves 6 (2 egg rolls per serving)

Nutrition Info Per Serving (serving size: 2 egg rolls, 1 tablespoon sauce)

Calories: 278
Total Fat: 3 grams
Saturated Fat: Total Carbohydrate: 45 grams
Sugars: 5 grams
Protein: 15 grams
Sodium: 463 milligrams
Cholesterol: 26 milligrams
Fiber: 3 grams

Robin Miller is a nutritionist, host of Quick Fix Meals, author of "Robin Takes 5" and “Robin Rescues Dinner” and the busy mom of two active little boys. Her boys and great food are her passion. Check her out at www.robinrescuesdinner.com.

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