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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

    Sweet Potato-Black Bean Pasta Summer Rolls with Coconut-Lime Tahini Sauce + A GIVEAWAY!

    February 28, 2014 by keepinitkind 68 Comments

    Summer Rolls

    Happy Friday, everybody! I want to introduce you to my lunch for every day this last week. Lunch, meet everyone.

    Summer Rolls

    Awhile back, I was at the grocery store and I came across black bean pasta from a company called Explore Asian. I was amazed at the amount of protein and the fact that it was lower in carbohydrates than most pasta. Plus, it was gluten-free and made of black beans, guys! I was totally interested but I didn't buy a bag because I couldn't think of a way to serve it. So I figured that once I did figure a recipe out, I would come back and get a bag.

    Summer Rolls

    I never came up with anything so I never bought a bag. I thought about the pasta often, though, and every time I went to the store, I spent a moment staring at this interesting pasta, along with its sibling, mung bean pasta.

    Sweet Potato-Black Bean Pasta Summer Rolls with Coconut-Lime Tahini Sauce

    Then, a few months ago, Explore Asian contacted me and asked me to review their products. Of course I accepted seeing as how I'd been lusting after their products for a few months already at that point. So they sent me the black bean pasta, the mung bean fettuccine, their udon and lo mein noodles, and one of their noodle soups. I opened the box and set the pastas on my counter and stared at them everyday for the last couple months. Still, zero idea about what I was going to do.

    Summer Rolls

    A couple weeks ago, I realized what my hang-up was. I was trying to figure out what kind of sauce I would serve this pasta with, like one would with a traditional bowl of pasta. I began brainstorming my favorite black bean flavor combos and when I thought of my favorite black bean companion, sweet potatoes, a little bell went off. Ding, ding, ding! I was on to something.

    Summer Rolls

    All of a sudden all of these ideas came pouring in and this is what I finally settled on: Summer rolls packed with a salad of sweet potato pasta (made with my spiralizer, though a julienne peeler would work just as well), Explore Asia black bean pasta, and red cabbage (because it's pretty and it's my favorite vegetable at the moment. I can't stop.), tossed in a light toasted sesame oil and lime juice dressing. I also stuffed some avocado slices into the rolls because everything is better with avocado. I served them with a coconut milk and lime-based tahini sauce which is so good that I want to dip everything in it (especially whole leaves of red cabbage. I told you, I can't stop.).

    Summer Rolls

    I could be biased because I'm on a random summer roll kick at the moment, but these rolls, guys! The black bean pasta is on the chewy side, which I like, and almost reminds me of chow mein (especially after being tossed in the toasted sesame oil). I'm seriously infatuated with them and feel like another batch is going to be made really soon. Just consider these rolls my lunch for an indefinite amount of time.

    Summer Rolls

    Print
    Sweet Potato-Black Bean Pasta Summer Rolls with Coconut-Lime Tahini Sauce

    Yield: 8 summer rolls, plus extra pasta salad

    Ingredients

      for the dip
    • 1/2 cup tahini
    • 1/4 cup canned lite coconut milk
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons tamari
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (or hot sauce)
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • for the rolls
    • 1/2 package of Explore Asia black bean pasta
    • 1 sweet potato, peeled
    • 1/4 red cabbage, shredded or very thinly sliced
    • 1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon tamari
    • 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 avocado, thinly sliced
    • 8 sheets of rice paper

    Instructions

    1. In a medium bowl, combine all of the dip ingredients and stir together until combined. Set aside.
    2. Use a spiralizer to turn your sweet potato into pasta. If you don't have a spiralizer, just use a julienne peeler to create ribbon pasta.
    3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Add 1/2 of the package of black bean pasta and stir. Let cook for about 4 minutes before adding the sweet potato pasta. Let cook for 2 more minutes and pour all of the pasta into a colander. Rinse with cold water to prevent the pasta from cooking any further.
    4. Transfer the sweet potato and black bean pastas to a large bowl. Add the red cabbage and cilantro and add salt and pepper to taste. In a small bowl, mix together the toasted sesame oil, lime juice, tamari, and agave syrup. Toss the salad with the dressing and set aside.
    5. Fill a wide bowl with warm water. Dip one sheet of rice paper in the water and promptly remove it. It should easily bend but not be soft yet. It will continue to absorb the water and get softer. Lay the rice paper out on a dry surface.
    6. About 1 inch from the edge closest to you, place a pile of the pasta salad. The pile should be roughly 1/3 cup, maybe a bit more. Lay 2 to 3 avocado slices over the pasta. Take the edge closest to you and fold it over the filling. Continue to roll, using your fingers to tuck the filling in as you go. Once the filling is completely tucked (about halfway rolled), fold the left and right edges over the filling and continue to roll until completely sealed. Repeat with the remaining rice paper sheets and ingredients. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    This salad provides for a lot of rolls. If you wanted to do 16 to 20 summer rolls, just use that many sheets of rice paper and use another 1 to 2 avocados. Try to only make as many as you will eat that day because summer rolls don't keep well. Just chill the leftover salad in an airtight container and use it whenever you want to make the rolls.

    Or just forget the rolls, toss the pasta in the tahini dip, and grab a fork.

    3.1

    Summer Rolls

    I am so thrilled with the products Explore Asian has sent me to review and I can't wait to experiment with them more. I'm also thrilled because Explore Asian has offered to give one of my readers the same products to try out. This giveaway is open to US residents only and will run until 11:59pm on March 5th, 2014. Use the box below to enter.

    Thank you so much to Explore Asian for letting me try their wonderful products (I hope to share some more recipes using their pastas soon!). Thank you all for stopping by and participating in the giveaway. Good luck!

    The winner of the Rise Bar Sampler Box giveaway is Jimmy Dang! Thank you to all who entered. Stay tuned for Monday when I will be having yet another giveaway! Have a good weekend!

    Disclaimer: I was given these products to review but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

    What sort of dish would you create with Explore Asian's bean-based pastas?

    Photography by Chris Miller

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aimee

      February 28, 2014 at 6:10 am

      What would I make? This recipe! Oh my gosh, those rolls look so good!

      Reply
    2. Nezumi

      February 28, 2014 at 6:12 am

      They look like soba noodles. I never had the chance to try these, but I would go all peanut butter sauce on them... yum!

      Reply
    3. Gaby

      February 28, 2014 at 6:18 am

      I think a good pasta with homemade Tomato sauce, and olives. Or I'd make a vegan version of spaghetti and egg frittata my mom used to make me when I was young with a lot if nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan 🙂

      Reply
    4. Shannon

      February 28, 2014 at 6:19 am

      I agree with Nezumi. I would treat them like a more exciting soba noodle! Maybe some kind of fusion peanut sauce.

      Reply
    5. Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan

      February 28, 2014 at 6:22 am

      So many "soba" noodle bowls. Mmm...

      Reply
    6. Alex

      February 28, 2014 at 6:44 am

      I LOVE noodle soups, so I would do some kind of asian/mexican fusion soup

      Reply
    7. Nicole Selah Destrampe

      February 28, 2014 at 6:56 am

      A ramen sort or dish I think

      Reply
    8. Danielle

      February 28, 2014 at 6:58 am

      I've been craving a Pad Thai-type dish, so that's what I'd do. Thanks!

      Reply
    9. Joy

      February 28, 2014 at 7:01 am

      I could picture using these in a stew of sorts with puréed sweet potatoes as the base and filled with chopped veggies. 🙂
      Also, I was looking to buy a spiralizer. Would you have any suggestions on a good one to get?

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        February 28, 2014 at 4:14 pm

        That sounds wonderful! This is the spiralizer I use and I love it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007Y9WHQ&linkCode=as2&tag=keitki-20

        Reply
    10. Kristina

      February 28, 2014 at 7:12 am

      I agree with the other commenters, peanut soba dishes are so good.

      Reply
    11. Hailey

      February 28, 2014 at 7:20 am

      I would make these! They look fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

      Reply
    12. Hailey

      February 28, 2014 at 7:21 am

      I would make these! They look fantastic 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

      Reply
    13. Cadry

      February 28, 2014 at 7:21 am

      Well done! Your summer rolls look amazing. I was so into summer rolls last summer. I can't wait until the warm weather returns, so that I can enjoy them again.

      I think I'd use the noodles in a spicy peanut sauce!

      Reply
    14. Stephanie

      February 28, 2014 at 7:38 am

      I would probably create some sort of chicken lo mein dish.

      Reply
    15. Millie

      February 28, 2014 at 9:10 am

      That sauce looks amazing! Your blog is so lovely 🙂 after being in love with food all my life I have recently decided to try and begin a food blog, only hope it will be as good as yours! 🙂 x

      Reply
    16. Jaclyn Reynolds

      February 28, 2014 at 9:35 am

      I would try your recipe!!

      Reply
    17. michelle

      February 28, 2014 at 9:43 am

      Like others have said some kind of yummy peanut sauce

      Reply
    18. Debbie

      February 28, 2014 at 10:16 am

      I would make a cilantro cashew stir-fry with a black bean sauce over the noodles.

      Reply
    19. saniel

      February 28, 2014 at 10:18 am

      I just got some dinosaur kale and pistachios, would make a raw pesto sauce with black bean pasta. Thanks

      Reply
    20. Megan

      February 28, 2014 at 11:51 am

      I would so use the noodles in a stir-fry or pad-thai instead of rice.

      Reply
    21. Carissa

      February 28, 2014 at 11:55 am

      I've been dying to try those black bean noodles but have been having similar issues as you. These rolls look amazing!!!!

      Reply
    22. Celeste Yeung

      February 28, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      Pastas and soups!

      Reply
    23. Melissa

      February 28, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      I've actually already tried these black bean noodles, but I'm always looking for more ways to use them. I've used them a lot in noodle miso soups, but this recipe looks like the perfect way to mix it up.

      Reply
    24. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat

      February 28, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      Oh my goodness Kristy, these are beautiful! I know I'm not eligible for your giveaway but I just had to tell you that! Summer rolls are one of my favourite Asian-inspired dishes to make, and seeing them right now reminds me of summer. It feels far, far away but maybe eating summer-y foods will make it come faster?! I'm willing to try! Happy Friday!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        February 28, 2014 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you, Angela! 🙂

        Reply
    25. Richa

      February 28, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      black bean pasta, that is very interesting. the rolls look fabulous!

      Reply
    26. sarah

      February 28, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      a pad thai soup?

      Reply
    27. Amanda

      February 28, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      I love summer rolls, though not so much during Boston winters. Maybe I will enjoy them next to my space heater... 😉

      And I echo what most others said - spicy peanut sauce all the way!

      Reply
    28. Katie @ Produce on Parade

      February 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      Wow, this is beautiful! I would totally make an Asian miso soup! 🙂

      Reply
    29. Johnny

      February 28, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      So many great things to make with pasta like that... I'd try anything from an Asian-inspired noodle bowl to a cold Southwestern pasta salad.

      Reply
    30. Sarah

      February 28, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      maybe a nice pad thai with these noodles

      Reply
    31. Debbie Brooks Riffel

      February 28, 2014 at 9:22 pm

      I would make deconstructed pasta balls with curry, coconut sauce ( add the sriracha sauce gastrique for a bit of a kick!) Yummm....I want some right now! Thanks Explore Asian and Keepin' It Kind! You are a inspiration and a blessing!

      Reply
    32. Carolsue

      February 28, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      I would probably make Pad Thai or Chow Mein

      Reply
    33. Deborah Yoo

      March 01, 2014 at 1:59 am

      Asian noodle salad!

      Reply
    34. Janel M.

      March 01, 2014 at 6:45 am

      Noodle bowls galore.

      Reply
    35. Greg

      March 01, 2014 at 6:52 am

      A curry with those black bean noodles would be pretty!

      Reply
    36. Maryz

      March 01, 2014 at 7:22 am

      These rolls look awesome! I'll be making them ASAP!

      Reply
    37. Sara

      March 01, 2014 at 8:01 am

      I'd make your recipe! It's making me excited for the warmer weather (20 degrees on March 1 where I am…) and fun spring/summer foods.

      Reply
    38. Lacey

      March 01, 2014 at 9:09 am

      Well if I didn't go Asian inspired with these noodles, I feel like a mexican 'spaghetti' would be delicious! Black bean pasta with a sweet potato and salsa or chili topping - or a baked spaghetti of sorts inspired by enchiladas mmm

      Reply
    39. Kristine

      March 01, 2014 at 11:11 am

      Definitely pad thai. Yum.

      Reply
    40. Emili

      March 01, 2014 at 11:40 am

      I will definitely be making this if I can find these noodles somewhere!!! Or a noodle bowl! If I can't find these, any suggestion what to use? A boring soba noodle? Black beans?

      Reply
    41. Anna {Herbivore Triathlete}

      March 01, 2014 at 5:23 pm

      Noodles with peanut sauce does sound wonderful, but I think I would use them for some kind of soup!

      Reply
    42. Nicollette

      March 01, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      A vehicle for a yummy peanut sauce. Mmmmmm. I can't wait to find these in store!

      Reply
    43. Jody Haller

      March 01, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      I don't think I could make anything except this recipe! It looks right up my alley. I can't wait to try this pasta! Such a great idea.

      Reply
    44. Christina

      March 01, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      I would make a spicy Thai curry, or maybe saute them with some squash and herbs!

      Reply
    45. Iman

      March 01, 2014 at 11:57 pm

      I'd make a beautifully refreshing asian inspired zesty salad using citrus fruits like lemon and blood orages as a dressing, some toasted nuts for sme crunch and the noodles cooked aldente for some soft-hard texture, giving it different dimensions 🙂

      Reply
    46. Abbie @ Needs Salt

      March 02, 2014 at 5:41 am

      These rolls look so colorful and beautiful! What gorgeous photos.
      Pinning!

      Reply
    47. Rachael@AnAvocadoADay

      March 02, 2014 at 8:29 am

      Gorgeous colors! I love the unique spin on summer rolls!

      Reply
    48. Angela @ Canned Time

      March 02, 2014 at 10:10 am

      I'd love to try this pasta in a cold salad with a similar asian dressing. I think I could eat these rolls though every day without trying something new. Really fabulous Kristy>

      Reply
    49. Colleen

      March 02, 2014 at 10:22 am

      What would I make? Why I would start with this recipe of course, These look delish!

      Reply
    50. Dianna @ Chard in Charge

      March 02, 2014 at 11:05 am

      SO YUM + beautiful! I've never tried black bean pasta, I'm excited to go buy some and test it myself! Thanks for sharing new inspiration...xo

      http://www.chardincharge.com

      Reply
    51. Sandy

      March 02, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      I would serve it with garlic scape pesto!

      Reply
    52. Dee

      March 02, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      I'd try your recipe. Looks delicious!

      Reply
    53. Ani

      March 02, 2014 at 4:03 pm

      I think these pastas would work with a lot of mexican dishes too! Turn fajitas into a pasta dish!

      Reply
    54. dana

      March 03, 2014 at 5:58 am

      a pho type soup

      Reply
    55. Becca Entenberg

      March 03, 2014 at 9:51 am

      I would probably also make summer rolls, yum!

      Reply
    56. Sarah O.

      March 03, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      I want to make ramen!

      Reply
    57. Sheila W.

      March 03, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      I would make cold peanut noodles, ramen, spring rolls and anything I could figure out how to put on the grill made from using these ingredients.

      Reply
    58. Yoojin

      March 03, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      mmm, soba is one of my favorite noodles so this would be a great product to try!
      i'd definitely make one of my favorite stir-fry noodle dishes with lots of veggies 🙂

      Reply
    59. Nicole

      March 04, 2014 at 5:52 pm

      I'd probably make my version of spicy cashew noodles. Or try some kind of Mexican inspired dish?

      Reply
    60. Elanor

      March 05, 2014 at 8:38 am

      I have a recipe for a spring pasta salad with edamame that I'd love to try!

      Reply
    61. Heather

      March 05, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      Love spring/summer rolls, I have never seen black bean noodles but fell in love with a bag of red rice noodles - love eating all the colors on the spectrum!

      Reply
    62. Eve-Marie

      March 17, 2014 at 6:34 pm

      These were gorgeous and amazingly delicious - thank you!

      Reply
    63. Sarah S

      April 02, 2014 at 11:05 am

      This looks delicious! I'm going to try to make it for my parents this summer! 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        April 03, 2014 at 8:17 am

        Yay! Love you!

        Reply
    64. indian cuisine

      May 22, 2014 at 7:20 am

      this looks pretty and very healthy too.im loving this.

      Reply
    65. Syl & Ed

      September 06, 2014 at 9:11 pm

      We made these rolls tonight which are perfect for a hot summer night. We had to substitute the black bean pasta, could not find at Whole Foods or Sprouts, so we used thin rice noodles which are vegan. We also used brown rice spring roll wrappers. These rolls are delicious and make a very nice presentation. We're looking forward to making them for a party!

      Reply

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