Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
Half a pound of cooked shrimp cut in half lengthwise
1 pkg of Rice paper
1 pkg of Rice noodles/rice sticks boiled, drained and allowed to cool
1 large carrot cut into pieces like matchsticks
½ English cucumber julienned
½ bunch of cilantro washed and torn into large pieces
10 to 12 fresh whole basil leaves
1 bunch of green onions with the green part cut off and cut into 3 to 4 inch segments
5 to 6 Red lettuce leaves
Directions:
Place a large frying pan filled with about half an inch of water on the stove and heat it until it is just warm. Place all of your ingredients, except for the rice paper, in bowls around your work area. On a large cutting board or on your counter top place a large, clean dish towel that is damp. Place one sheet of rice paper in the warm water for 3 seconds and then remove. Allow the excess water to drip off and place this on the damp towel. In the middle of the rice paper place 2 to 3 shrimp halves. Place a small handful of rice noodles on top, then the remaining veggies and herbs. Place the lettuce on last, and when you do, roll the lettuce leaf up like a newspaper and place on top. Take the edge of the rice paper facing you and bring it over the top of the ingredients. Begin to roll this untilyou are about half way rolled up, then fold the left and right edges over the top and complete the roll. Place this on a large platter but do not allow the rolls to touch. Repeat this process until you have enough spring rolls and serve as is or with a peanut sauce.
Peanut Sauce
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup water
The juice of one lime
5 tablespoons Hoisin Sauce
4 teaspoons garlic chili paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 garlic clove mashed into a paste
Directions:
Mix all of this together and serve with spring rolls. If you want this a little spicier, then add some more of the garlic chili paste or some Sriracha.