Recipes : Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

I love fresh spring rolls. Especially in the spring and summer when it’s warm outside. The combination of the rice vermicelli and fresh herbs is great. The shrimp are, of course, optional. You could use some marinated tofu strips that have been grilled and then cooled, or some grilled chicken instead.

Ingredients :
+ 2 ounces rice vermicelli
+ 8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)
+ 8 large cooked shrimp – peeled, deveined and cut in half
+ 1 1/3 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil
+ 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
+ 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
+ 2 leaves lettuce, chopped
+ 4 teaspoons fish sauce
+ 1/4 cup water
+ 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
+ 1 clove garlic, minced
+ 2 tablespoons white sugar
+ 1/2 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
+ 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
+ 1 teaspoon finely chopped peanuts

Directions :
1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.

2. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

3. In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce.

4. In another small bowl, mix the hoisin sauce and peanuts.

5. Serve rolled spring rolls with the fish sauce and hoisin sauce mixtures.