Vietnamese Inspired Shrimp Spring Roll Tacos Food

SHRIMP PESTO SPRING ROLLS WITH QUICK PESTO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the quick pesto dipping sauce: Add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, red pepper flakes and garlic to the base of a small food processor. With the processor running, drizzle in the oil and lemon juice and allow the mixture to become smooth. Scrape the sides, then add the mayonnaise, sour cream and salt and process until combined, about 1 minute.
• For the simple lemon dressing: Add the olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper to a small mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine,
• For the assembly: Add the shrimp to a small bowl and toss in 2 tablespoons of the lemon dressing. Set aside.
• Add the shredded romaine to a bowl and toss with the remaining lemon dressing. Set aside.
• One at a time, place the rice wrappers in warm water until they are soft but still hold together, about 30 seconds. Lay the wrapper flat on a plate and start by shingling 4 shrimp halves and 2 basil leaves in the center of the wrapper. Add one-quarter of the roasted peppers, onions and tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the pesto dipping sauce. Finally, top with a one-quarter of the lettuce in a small line. Fold in the sides of the wrapper and roll into a tight roll. Cut in half on the diagonal. Repeat to make the other 3 rolls.
• Dip the rolls into the pesto dipping sauce and dig in! Best if eaten within 1 hour of making.

SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Score the shrimp on the underside in three equally spaced horizontal cuts. Press firmly on the shrimp to straighten.
• In a soup pot, combine 4 cups water, the wine, bay leaf, lime juice and salt and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, add in the shrimp and cover until the shrimp are pink, about 4 minutes. Scoop out the shrimp and shock in ice water to stop the cooking. Then drain and dry. Reserve the poaching liquid, keeping it hot but not simmering.
• Add the vermicelli to the hot poaching liquid (no need to simmer or boil the water because that may over cook the noodles). Cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Toss the carrots, cucumbers and red bell peppers with the rice wine vinegar and soy sauce.
• Dip each rice paper wrapper in warm water, one at a time, for a second (no longer or they will get too soft). The wrapper should still feel somewhat hard when you first start working with it. By the time you finish getting all of your fillings in, the wrapper will have continued to soften. Layer the first one with 2 shrimp, a basil leaf, jalapeno slice, some vermicelli and vegetables. Gently wrap like a tiny burrito and cut on the sharp bias. Serve with Peanut Dipping Sauce.
• Add the peanut oil to a small saute pan over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, and then turn off the heat. Then add the peanut butter, hoisin, sambel olek and 3 tablespoons water and mix together. You may need to add a little extra water if the mixture is too thick. Garnish with the chopped peanuts.

VIETNAMESE-STYLE SPRING ROLLS WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Set dipping sauce aside.
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger; sauté until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add shrimp and cilantro; sauté until shrimp are just cooked through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour hot water into large bowl. Using tongs, dip 1 spring-roll sheet in water 5 seconds. Remove from water; place on wet towel. Let stand 30 seconds (spring-roll sheet should be soft and pliable; if still stiff, sprinkle with more water).
• Place half of lettuce leaf across top third of spring-roll sheet. Arrange 4 shrimp halves on lettuce. Top with 1 tablespoon each of green onions and cucumber. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon mint over filling. Fold sides of spring-roll sheet over ends of filling. Starting at filled side, roll into cylinder. Place on plate. Repeat with remaining spring-roll sheets, lettuce, shrimp, green onions, cucumber and mint. Serve with sauce.

SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• For the sauce: Whisk together 1/3 cup water, the sugar, ketchup, vinegar, Sriracha and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat when the sauce begins to thicken, 30 to 45 seconds. Let cool.
• For the spring rolls: Meanwhile, heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil, ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the cabbage and carrots, and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp, scallions, mirin, soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few cracks of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until the shrimp turn pink, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the sesame oil. Let the mixture cool for 15 minutes. Fold in the bean sprouts. When completely cool, roughly chop the mixture and set aside.
• Put 1 spring roll wrapper on a work surface with a point facing you (it should be a diamond shape). Put about 1 tablespoon of the shrimp mixture in the center of the wrapper, and spread to make a 1-inch log. Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the filling, rolling tightly to keep the spring rolls firm. Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling. Brush the top edge of the wrapper with egg. Roll up tightly, pressing to seal the edge. Put finished rolls, seam-side down, on a plate or baking sheet until ready to fry. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
• Fill a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil, and attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side. Heat the pot over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. Fry the spring rolls in batches, 4 or 5 at a time, until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Serve with the dipping sauce.

FISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the fish: In a bowl, combine the oil, spices, salt and pepper. Add the fish and make sure each piece is coated with the marinade.
• For the mayo: Put the mayonnaise, garlic, mint, cumin, and lime juice in a food processor. Whizz until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if necessary. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
• Grab a large, nonstick saute pan and warm it gently over medium heat; no need to add oil since the fish is already coated in oil. Once warm (test by sprinkling some water into the pan, if it sizzles and evaporates, you're ready), place each piece of fish in the pan. It should sizzle gently but firmly when it hits the pan. Cook until cooked through, but still moist, about 3 minutes per side. The fish should flake easily with a fork. Don't overcook your fish! It'll taste awful!
• Remove the fish from the pan and serve immediately with warmed tortillas. I put a light layer of cabbage on the bottom, then the sauce, a few chunks of fish, the scallions, a couple of slices of banana pepper, and a squeeze of lime. And once the fish is finished off, you can do what I do, and make cabbage tacos - everything except the fish! So good!