Golden Baked Tofu Rolls with Apricot Dip

Rice paper rolls are one of those foods that asks for very little heat and gives a lot back. The wrappers are dried sheets of rice starch and water, and the trick is that they go from stiff to pliable in a bath of warm water, so they need no cooking at all. That is why they fit so well on a hot day, and why this recipe spends its oven time on the tofu alone.

Baking the tofu is the part worth paying attention to. Extra firm tofu holds its shape in the oven, and a brush of soy sauce mixed with a little brown sugar substitute caramelizes at the edges while the middle stays soft and mild. Let the slices cool fully before you cut them into strips. Warm tofu tears the delicate wrapper, and cool tofu sits neatly beside the mango and cucumber.

When you soak the wrappers, pull them out while they still have a little firmness in the center. They keep softening on the cutting board, and a wrapper that goes too soft becomes sticky and hard to roll. Work with one at a time, and keep a damp towel over the finished rolls so they do not dry out before you serve them.

The mango is a good example of a fruit that brings sweetness without needing extra sugar. Ripe mango is naturally sweet and soft, so slice it thin and let it do the work. If your mango is firm, a few minutes at room temperature will help it along. Avocado is the richer partner here, and a thin slice goes a long way. Rolls can be made a few hours ahead if you wrap them tightly in plastic and keep them chilled, but they are best eaten the same day, since the wrapper toughens as it sits.

For the dip, the apricot preserves bring a soft, fruity sweetness, and the chili garlic sauce adds heat that builds slowly. Serve it warm in a small bowl so guests can dip the cold rolls into it. Leftover dip keeps in the fridge for a few days and is good spooned over grilled chicken or a bowl of steamed greens.

If you want a fuller plate, a bowl of cool cucumber salad or a simple cabbage slaw pairs nicely with these. A pot of jasmine tea or sparkling water with a squeeze of lime rounds out the meal.

Thinking about other meals? A grilled skewer night with Grilled Sesame Tofu Kebabs over Brown Rice follows the same flavors in a warmer format, and if you are cooking for a crowd, Charred Chicken Skewers with Creamy Peanut Sauce makes a good companion dish.