Monday, September 27, 2010

Vietnamese Spring Rolls from Heidi


I still can't believe we made it to round two of Project Food Blog!  Our sincerest thanks.  I'm on my way to Texas to visit Robbyn at the moment and the dinner party will be taking place at her house, we couldn't of planned it any better!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls
1 package rice paper Banh Trang ba co gai
1 lb. cooked shrimp, medium size
1/2 lb. cooked bbq pork; we got some already done in the Asian market
1 cucumber, sliced into thin strips
1 lb. fresh rice noodles (Banh Pho)
shredded lettuce
cilantro
Thai basil
mint

This recipe is from my friend Heidi.  She shared with me her recipe that she got from her mother and I'm honored to share it with you.

You will want to get a good brand of rice paper, like the Three Ladies Brand.


She showed me her top-secret trick for softening the rice paper. 


Yes that's right a squirt bottle filled with water.  Spray the rice paper front and back with water and shake off excess.  You just want the paper limp enough to roll.

Prep all you ingredients so you are ready to start rolling.


The noodles are prepared by placing them in a strainer and lowered into hot, not boiling water for 30-45 seconds, just until softened. 

In the center of rice paper place a row of noodles, on top of that add pork, cucumber, herbs and lettuce. Directly in front of that row add a row of shrimp. Pick up end of rice paper nearest you and fold over noodles, tuck in sides and keep rolling


Heidi also shared with me, that the herbs are for more than flavoring, but to aid in digestion.  We bought shelled shrimp and cooked them and peeled them, they have better flavor, but you can use pre-cooked if you want.

This is the peanut sauce she makes for dipping the spring rolls in, it is so good, I can barely describe it.

Peanut Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 cup warm water
2-3 tbsp. peanut butter
3 tbsp. sugar
chopped peanuts

Combine hoisin, peanut butter, water and sugar in bowl, stir till combined and sprinkle chopped peanuts on top.

Thank you again everyone.  I'll probably be staying up all night voting for everyone, since I'm traveling today.

15 comments:

  1. Excellent job on the challenge, I am voting for you!

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  2. I am so making these. Hoping I can find the ingredients at local Asian markets!! I'm voting now!

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  3. That loooks great. You have my vote.

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  4. yum! that looks so good!!!! such great pics too! you've got my vote! Us RWOP girls gotta stick together!

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  5. OMG I love spring rolls and these look fantastic!

    PS I totally voted for you :-)

    Best,
    Veronica

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  6. Your Vietnamese spring rolls look so professionally made! Keep coming!
    You have got my vote. :-)))

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  7. I find that a squirt bottle can solve almost any problem in life! congrats!! i love it, voting now!

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  8. I love vietnamese food. So tasty and fresh. I voted (=

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  9. those spring rolls look delicious!! I already voted for you!

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  10. This spring rolls look amazing! I've never made my own, but always love spring rolls :) This is definitely an inspiring post. PS, I've got a giveaway going on that I think you might be interested in :) Stop by and check it out!

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  11. Catching up on my commenting - but got my vote in on time - amazing spring rolls!

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  12. Looks absolutely wonderful, beautiful photos!

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  13. This looks easy, healthy and delicious! I can't wait to try it.

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  14. I came across your blog looking for a dark chocolate cake recipe! And I'm leaving it totally wanting to make these - they look so delicious! Thank you for a great blog. S

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