Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls With Two Dipping Sauces Food

VEGETARIAN FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the carrots, green onions, cabbage, olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper: toss well.
• Let marinate at room temp for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, place the noodles in a medium bowl.
• Cover with boiling water and soak for 10 minutes, or until the noodles are softened.
• Drain well and snip into 2-inch pieces.
• Set aside.
• Place about 2 Tablespoons of the noodles and about 2 Tablespoons of the vegetable mixture about 1-inch from the lower edge of each rice paper round.
• Sprinkle with basil/mint leaves.
• Fold the bottom edge over the filling; fold in both sides and roll up tightly.
• Press to seal.
• Place on a plate seam side down; cover with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for 10 minutes (you may also make these ahead of time and refrigerate for several hours).
• Two quick sauces (or use hoisin, hot mustard, etc): In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce and sesame oil.
• In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut oil, hot sesame oil, garlic and sugar.
• Serve as a dipping sauce with the spring rolls.
• NOTE: To soften the rice-paper rounds before rolling them, fill a large bowl with warm water.
• Dip each rice-paper round into the water for 10 seconds, or until softened and transluceent.
• Remove and let drain on a clean dish towel.
• Do not stack the rice papers; they will stick together.

FRESH SPRING ROLLS WITH THAI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a bowl of cool water, soak a wrapper until limp. Lay wrapper out flat. Place 1/6 of each ingredient down middle of wrapper, starting with lettuce. Fold over each end and tightly roll the wrapper around the contents, as if making a burrito. Moisten at seam; press to close.
• Lay on plate, cover with moist paper towel and refrigerate until ready to serve. Then slice in two and serve with Quick Thai Dipping Sauce, below, or peanut sauce.
• To make the Quick Thai Dipping Sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

SPRING ROLL DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, garlic, green onions, sesame oil, sugar, and ginger in a small mixing bowl. Mix well, adding additional hoisin sauce to thicken mixture to your desired consistency if needed. Cover the sauce and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.
• Before serving, pour mixture into a small saucepan and heat. Serve warm.

FRESH SPRING ROLLS WITH SHRIMP FOR TWO

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring the 2 cups water to a boil.
• Add the shrimp and immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Cover and poach until pink and opaque throughout, about 3 minutes.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a bowl of ice water and let cool for 3 minutes.
• Drain and cut each shrimp in half lengthwise.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a heatproof bowl, combine the noodles and boiling water and soak for 10 minutes.
• Drain and return the noodles to the bowl.
• Add the carrot, cucumber, cabbage, bean spouts and cilantro.
• Toss gently to mix.
• Place a double thickness of paper towels on a work surface.
• Fill a large, shallow baking dish with water.
• Place 1 rice-paper round in the water and soak until pliable, about 30 seconds.
• Carefully transfer the wrapper to the paper towels and turn once to blot dry.
• Arrange 1/2 cup of the noodle mixture on the bottom half of the wrapper.
• Fold the bottom edge toward the center and roll up the wrapper halfway, making sure to wrap tightly around the filling.
• Tuck 2 basil leaf halves along the inside crease of the half-rolled wrapper.
• Arrange 4 pieces of the shrimp, cut sides up, along the crease.
• Fold the right and left edges of the wrapper over the filling and finish rolling up.
• Repeat with the remaining wrappers, filling, basil and shrimp.
• Transfer the rolls to a plate and cover with dampened paper towels.
• To make the sauce, combine the hoisin sauce, green onion, lime juice, fish sauce, peanut butter, red pepper flakes and brown sugar in a small bowl.
• Stir until well blended.
• To serve, cut the rolls in half on the diagonal and place on small individual plates.
• Pool the sauce alongside each roll.