Shrimp Fresh Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
1 pkg. small, round rice wrappers (dried)
1 1/2 cups (375ml) rice vermicelli noodles, cooked, run through with cold water, and drained
3/4 cup (175ml) cooked shrimp (fresh, or frozen OR 3/4 cup (175ml) baked or fried tofu, diced
1 cup (250ml) bean sprouts
1/2 cup (125ml) fresh Thai holy or sweet basil, roughly chopped
½ cup (125ml) fresh coriander, roughly chopped
¼ cup (125ml) shredded carrot
3 spring onions, finely sliced on the bias
1 Tbsp (15ml) soy sauce (or wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
1 Tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar
1 Tbsp (15ml) fish or squid sauce (available at Asian food stores) OR vegetarian fish sauce (available at Vietnamese food stores)
Peanut Dipping Sauce
1 cup (250ml) fresh-tasting dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
1/3 cup (75ml) water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp (2ml) dark soy sauce
2 tsp (10ml) sesame oil
2 Tbsp (30ml) brown sugar
2 Tbsp (30ml) fish sauce (if vegetarian, use vegetarian fish sauce or regular soy sauce)
1/2 tsp (2ml) tamarind paste OR ½ Tbsp (7.5ml) lime juice
1/2 tsp (2ml) cayenne pepper, OR 1 tsp (5ml) Thai chili sauce (more or less to taste)
1/3 cup (75ml) coconut milk
Directions
Prep Time: 40 min. Cook Time: 2 min
Serves 3 to 5
Toss all roll ingredients together in a bowl, except rice wrappers.
Fill a large bowl with hot water (but not too hot, as you'll be dipping your fingers in it).
Start by submerging one wrapper into the water. It should soften after 30 seconds.
Remove and place on a clean surface.
Add another wrapper to the hot water as you fill and roll the first one.
Place a heaping tablespoon of roll ingredients toward the bottom of the wrap. Spread out the ingredients horizontally (in the shape of the roll).
Fold the sides of the wrapper over the ingredients, and then bring up the bottom. Tuck the bottom around the ingredients and roll to the top of the wrapper. To secure, wet it with a little water and press (like sealing an envelope).
To serve, place your platter or bowl of rolls on the table along with the dipping sauce. Eat with your fingers (and lots of napkins).
Peanut Dipping Sauce
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until sauce is smooth. If you prefer a runnier peanut sauce, add a little more water or coconut milk.
Do a taste test, adding more fish sauce if not salty enough, or more cayenne if not spicy enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you'd prefer it sweeter, add more sugar.
Serve warm or at room temperature as a dip with fresh veggies, with chicken or beef satay, fresh spring rolls, or other Asian finger foods. Or mix with noodles to create a Thai-style noodle dish or cold noodle salad.
(Note: This sauce will thicken as it sits - just add a little water or coconut milk to thin it out, as needed. Otherwise it stores well if kept covered in the refrigerator-keep up to 2 weeks, or freeze.)