Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

This is yet another one of our family all time favourites. It makes a lovely healthy picnic lunch. Another secret bonus is that I use it to get lots of salad into people who don't like salad. Give it a try, you will be surprised how many of these salad packed rolls the children will consume.

INGREDIENTS

1 packet Vietnamese rice paper

80g rice vermicelli

1 500g packet firm tofu

1 carrot

1 Lebanese cucumber
1 red capsicum (red pepper)

lettuce and/or other greens, finely shredded

Mint

spring onion or chives


METHOD


Cut all vegetables into thin strips

slice tofu and fry in sesame oil and a little salt, tamari or braggs

Place vermicelli in a bowl, cover in boiling water and then cover the bowl with a plate. Let the vermicelli sit for about 5-10 minutes until soft. Then drain, rinse with cold water and season with 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1/2 tsp salt 

pour boiling water into a round pie dish or frying pan and add about 1/2tsp salt. You will use this to soften the rice paper and may need to add hot water or heat on stove during assembly.


For assembly you should have:
rice paper
saucepan with salted hot water
plate or board to roll on
serving dish for complete rolls
all fillings (salad, tofu, vermicelli and fresh mint leaves) 

Dip the rice paper into the hot water for a few seconds to soften.
lift out and lay flat on plate/board
place fillings in centre or rice paper
roll by first lifting the base over, then fold in sides and roll to complete.
See video below. 

When I make these at home, I often just shred lots of finely chopped salad greens (Chinese cabbage, kale, lettuce, cabbage, English spinach etc). I then grate in some carrot, add chopped mint and small pieces of red capsicum and mix it all together in a bowl.

I assemble the rolls by filling them with salad and a piece of tofu (prepared as above). Sometimes I add a little vermicelli as well but I just love them packed with salad!

If you are not planning to serve straight away, ensure that you cover them to prevent them drying out. 


Recipe makes about 24 rolls


Serve with Coriander Dipping Sauce (see previous post)

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  (Psalms 27:1)

Posted by: Natasha Mansour