Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe

(Goi Guon)

These rolls are nothing more than a Vietnamese salad wrapped in rice paper. The aromatic herbs in the rolls lend a refreshing taste. If you are looking for a picnic snack food, these rolls are perfect.

Ingredients : Serves 4-6

110 g

225 g

2 pcs

225 g

1 pc

2 sprigs

6 pcs

12 sheets

725 ml

Rice vermicelli (yields 2 1/4 cups)

Lean pork

Spring onions

Large shrimps

Cucumber, quartered and thinly sliced

Carrot, peeled and grated

Fresh coriander, coarsely chopped

Butterhead lettuce leaves, stem ends removed and halved

Rice paper

Peanut dipping sauce

Method :

Soak the noodles in cold water for 20 minutes. Blanch in boiling water, then rinse under cold water. Drain well and set aside on a plate.
Meanwhile, to cook the pork, heat a saucepan of water and bring to the boil over medium heat. Add the port and spring onions and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the pork from the water, and when it is cool enough to handle, slice into strips 5 x 2 1/2 x 1/3 cm (2 x 1 x 1/8 in). Set aside on a serving plate.
Using the same pot of water, return into a rolling boil and cook the shrimps for 3 minutes or until cooked. Remove and cool in iced water, peel and cut in half lengthways. Set aside with the pork. Discard the spring onion.
Arrange the cucumber, carrot, fresh coriander and lettuce leaves attractively on a big platter.
Sprinkle 2 sheets rice paper at a time with water and each softens and is pliable, place a piece of lettuce on the bottom third of the rice paper. Put 1 piece pork, 1 small clump noodles and pieces of cucumber and carrot on top. Fold the bottom portion over the filling, fold in the right and left sides, and roll the wrapper one more time so that it is two-thirds rolled.
Place 2 halves of shrimps end to end along the top of the roll and place several fresh coriander leaves on top. Roll the wrapper tightly until the edges seal shut. Place the finished rolls on a place and cover with a damp towel to keep them moist until serving time. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve with peanut dipping sauce.