FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Sauce
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp, rice or wine vinegar
1 pinch chili powder

Rolls
2 ozs glass noodles (soaked in boiling water for 15 minutes, drained and cut into 2" pieces)
6 rice papers (round or square)
6 lettuce leaves (red leaf or Boston bib, stems removed)
1-2 small carrots (shredded)
1-2 small cucumbers (peeled, seeded and shredded)
1/2 cup mung bean sprouts
10 fresh mint leaves (chopped)
10 fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)
1 tsp, salt

Make sure noodles are thoroughly drained. Put noodles,  carrots, cucumbers, mint and cilantro leaves, sprinkle with salt and mix lightly .

To assemble the rolls fill a wide, shallow bowl with warm water. Working with 1 rice-paper at a time, soak it in the warm water until softened, 5 or 6 seconds. Remove it from the bowl, gently shake off the excess water and place it on a work surface. Place a lettuce leaf horizontally on the bottom half of the moistened rice paper. Place about 1/6 of the mixed ingredients and a few bean sprouts on top of lettuce leaf. Be careful not to overstuff the rolls. Lift the bottom edge of the rice paper and carefully roll up halfway into a tight cylinder. Fold in the sides of the rice paper and continue to roll the rice paper and filling into a cylinder. Moisten the edge of the roll to seal.

In small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar and chili powder. Use to pour on rolls or dip into it.

Experiment!
For instance: In the mix, skip some of the ingredients and increase some of the others. Alternatively, try
sauce # 2 or peanut sauce.

Sauce # 2
3 cloves chopped garlic
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. lime juice
2 Tbs. warm water
1 tsp. brown sugar
2-3 drops hot pepper sauce

Blend in small blender until smooth.

Peanut Sauce
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. brown sugar
2 drops hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup water

In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, hot pepper sauce and garlic until well mixed. Gradually stir in water until texture is smooth and creamy.


Bon Apetit!!!

Copyright © 2014 by Ernest Samuel Leibovitz