Tropical Spring Rolls With Chile Sauce Food

SUMMER ROLLS WITH SWEET CHILI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the cellophane noodles, vegetables, cilantro and peanuts in a large bowl; toss with sesame oil and lime juice to give the filling some flavor; season with salt and pepper.
• Pour 3 cups of hot, not boiling water in a large shallow bowl. One at a time, immerse the rice paper wrappers in the hot water for 10 seconds to soften, then place on a slightly damp towel. The rice paper is very delicate, don't soak them any longer or they will break apart. Keep them covered while you work to prevent them from drying out and curling.
• To form the rolls, lay a rice paper wrapper on a flat surface. Grab a small amount of the cellophane and vegetable mixture and lay it across the bottom third. Use less filling than you think you should, if you overstuff the wrapper it will tear. Carefully fold the bottom of the wrapper up to cover the filling. Fold in the left and right sides, then tuck and roll it over once. Lay 2 mint leaves on top, then tuck and roll it over to close the whole thing up like a tight cigar. The mint leaves should show through the transparent rice paper. Arrange the finished rolls on a platter and cover with a damp towel.
• Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:
• In a blender, puree the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, hot water, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste until combined. Pour into a small bowl and serve with the summer rolls.
• Yield: 1 cup

TROPICAL MANGO SPRING ROLLS WITH AVOCADO-CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Fill a shallow pan larger than your spring roll wrappers (a pie plate works great) with warm water. Fold a lint-free tea towel in half and place it next to the dish. Place your prepared spring roll fillings within reach.
• Place one rice paper in the water and let it rest for about twenty seconds. You'll learn to go by feel here-wait until the sheet is pliable but not super floppy. Carefully lay it flat on the towel.
• Leaving about an inch of open rice paper around the edge, cover the lower third of the paper with about 1/2 cup chopped arugula. Top with four slices of mango down the length of the greens, followed by several slices of bell pepper and jalapeño, and finally, a sprinkle of green onions.
• Fold over one long side to enclose the filling, then fold over the short sides like you would a burrito, and lastly, roll it up, stretching the remaining long side around the the roll to seal it. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• To make your avocado sauce, combine the avocado, lime juice, water, cilantro and salt in a small food processor or blender. Purée until smooth and transfer to a small serving bowl. If you won't be serving the rolls immediately, press plastic wrap against the surface of the dip to prevent oxidation.
• Slice the rolls in half on the diagonal with a sharp chef's knife or serve whole, with avocado dipping sauce on the side.

TROPICAL SPRING ROLLS WITH CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make chile sauce:
• Stir together sauce ingredients in a bowl until just combined. Chill, covered.
• Make spring rolls:
• Stir together shrimp, cilantro, and salt.
• Put 1 spring roll wrapper on a work surface with a corner nearest you, keeping remaining wrappers covered with plastic wrap. Spread 1/2 cup shrimp mixture across wrapper, 3 inches from bottom corner, to form a 4-inch log, leaving a 1 1/4-inch border at each end. Fold bottom corner over filling, then fold in side corners and roll up snugly to enclose shrimp. Stir together water and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth, then brush seams with mixture to seal. Transfer roll, seam side down, to a baking sheet lined with wax paper and keep covered with plastic wrap. Make more spring rolls in same manner, transferring to baking sheet as formed.
• Heat 1/4 inch oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry 2 or 3 spring rolls, seam sides down, until golden, about 2 minutes. Turn over and fry until other side is golden, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Fry remaining spring rolls in same manner. Halve and serve hot or warm with sauce.

MANGO AVOCADO SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, lime juice and chili sauce; gently stir in pepper, avocado, green onions and cilantro. , Fill a large shallow dish partway with water. Dip a rice paper wrapper into water just until pliable, about 45 seconds (do not soften completely); allow excess water to drip off., Place wrapper on a flat surface. Place cream cheese mixture, mango and sprouts across bottom third of wrapper. Fold in both ends of wrapper; fold bottom side over filling, then roll up tightly. Place on a serving plate, seam side down. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.