Honey & Melon Risotto Fried Spring Roll with a Honey Glaze

This Labor Day weekend was filled with food, drinks and friends....but most importantly food. I met a fellow foodie that shared my passion for spending time in the kitchen and talking about all things food, while whipping up some delicious eats. We had a splendid family dinner that required an equally splendid desert. I had originally planned on making some sweet risotto spring rolls. I had a fresh melon from my CSA and a jar of honey. I made up a delicious sweet risotto and left it to cool in the fridge. Come desert time, I wrapped up a few fresh spring rolls, and as we ate we realized that they needed something - to be fried! Time to take this healthy treat and make it full of fat and sugar. This test version was a success, but many more will follow.

Honey & Melon Risotto

1 C arborio rice
4-5 C green tea (steeped for 30 minutes)
1 T coconut oil
1/3 C honey (more or less depending on how sweet you like it)
1 1/2 C melon, chopped (I used cantaloupe and cucumber)
1 T vanilla flavoring

Heat oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add rice and stir to coat in oil. Cook 3 minutes then pour in 1 C green tea and start stirring rice constantly until liquid has been absorbed. Add in another cup and repeat. With the third cup of tea, add in honey as well. Continue adding in tea 1 cup at a time until rice is al dente. Remove from heat and stir in melon and vanilla. Place in fridge and let cool for 2 hours.

Making into Fried Spring Rolls

Spring Roll Wrappers
Flour
Confectioner's Sugar

Heat a large pot of oil over medium high heat. Take a spring roll wrapper and soak in cold water until soft and pliable (about 30 seconds). Place on counter and spoon 2 tablespoons of risotto mixture onto one edge of roll. Fold sides over and roll like a cigar. Roll in flour to coat all sides evenly. Set aside and repeat with rest of filling and wrappers. When oil is hot, drop a few rolls in and cook until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Place on a platter and dust with confectioner's sugar.

Honey Glaze

1/2 C vanilla yogurt
3 T honey
1/2 t nutmeg
1 t cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and drizzle over fried spring rolls. Save some on the side for dipping.