Spring Roll

 

Ingredients

• About 14 edible rice papers
• About 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• About 7 oz cooked shrimps, peeled and sliced in half lengthwise (I weighted them before peeling them)
• About 14 lettuce leaves
• About 2 cups cooked rice vermicelli, cold
• About 3 cups fresh bean sprouts

Sauce

• 4 tbsp rice vinegar
• 4 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)
• 1 tbsp grated carrots (optional)

 

1. Start by softening the rice papers. I like to use two rice papers per roll, just to make sure they don't break. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip two rice papers (or one) very carefully and gradually for about 1 minute, until totally soften. Lay rice papers on a clean cloth.

2. Arrange about 4 beautiful mint leaves at the bottom of the rice paper, then about 4 shrimp halves. Top with a lettuce leaf, a small handful of vermicelli and a small handful of bean sprouts. Add additional mint leaves. That's the moment when you can actually add pretty much anything you have in mind -and in you fridge- (think cilantro, peanuts, chicken, parsley...). Top with a second lettuce leaf. Always keep about 2 inches uncovered on each side.

 

3. Now the rolling part. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the rice paper, as shown on the pics. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

 

4. Prepare the sauce. In a sauce pan, combine rice vinegar, fish sauce, water and sugar. Heat until sugar is dissolved, then let cool completely. Add garlic and carrots. It keeps about a week in the fridge.

Review and Recommendation:

Spring Roll is a cool, easy, and an efficient process that yields a delectable prize. Did you know that Spring/Summer Rolls are Egg Rolls that are not fried? Because they are not fried, they are very low in fat and calories! Not only are these Rolls tasty, but they are also healthy. These are good as a starter or a main course.

Secrets of great Spring/Summer rolls are to use the freshest ingredients available, to moisten the rice-paper wrappers until they are pliable but not too wet, and to roll the bundles tightly. The beauty of spring rolls is that you can you just about any ingredients you like. Pre-made wrappers and bottled dipping sauces are readily available in Asian markets and the Asian section of most supermarkets.