Spring rolls might seem like a lengthy and complicated process but once you get the necessary ingredients and grasp the basics you will be able to produce these lovely spring rolls whenever you want and in no time. And, trust me, they really are worth the initial effort! I came across the original peanut butter recipe here and made it into a 5-element one but feel free to make your own alterations to suit your taste. Enjoy!
The ingredients below serve 2-3 people.
Step 1 Shrimp preparation
If you are using fresh shrimps remove the shells and rinse them well. If you have frozen shrimps add them to a bowl of warm water and set aside to defrost.
Step 2 Dipping sauce preparation
Tip: For this recipe you can use either crunchy peanut butter or smooth one, depending on which one you prefer.
In a medium-sized bowl add the following:
- Sweet – 2 heaped tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon of maple syrup/honey/sugar,
- Pungent – 1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce, a pinch of ginger,
- Salty – 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 3-4 tablespoons of cold water,
- Sour – 1 tablespoon if vinegar, 1 teaspoon of lime juice (or lemon juice),
- Bitter – a pinch of turmeric.
Stir all the ingredients. They might not combine so easily but be patient, they will blend in the end. Have a taste of the sauce and add the flavour which is not enough for your liking. Also, you might have a little taste after adding each flavour. In this way your taste buds will be well exercised and your ability to recognise what is missing, or what is too much of, will increase significantly. You will be able to create super tasty dishes very soon without failing.
Set your peanut butter sauce aside to let the ingredients blend and ‘bite through’ one another.
Step 3 Rice noodles preparation
Add a portion of rice noodles to a medium-sized bowl. Pour boiling water it, just enough to cover the noodles. Cover the bowl with a lid and set aside (at least 10 minutes).
Step 4 Toasted sesame preparation
In a dry frying pan roast 1-2 teaspoons of sesame seeds until they start popping. Take them off the frying pan into a little bowl and set aside.
Step 5 Shrimp cooking
Drain your shrimps in a colander and let them drip a little bit. In a large frying pan add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and heat it up. Add your shrimps and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Fry for about 2 minutes until your shrimps turn pink and transfer them to a small bowl.
Step 5 Vegetable preparation
Use any vegetables of your choice, like: 1 carrot, 1/4 large cucumber, 1/3 sweet pepper, 2-3 lettuce or savoy cabbage leaves, 1 avocado, 3-4 radishes, 2-3 scallions, 5-6 coriander sprigs. Feel free to add any other vegetables of your choice.
Slice the avocado and radishes thinly. Julienne all the other veggies. Leave the coriander as it is.
Step 6 Rice noodles
Drain your rice noodles well and place them on a little pile in the corner of your chopping board, next to your vegetables.
Step 7 Final stage – Spring rolls assembling
Add 2-3 tablespoons of cold water to a dinner plate and dip a sheet of rice paper in it. Make sure water softens your rice paper evenly but do not keep it in water for too long. Transfer your rice sheet onto a chopping board and arrange in the centre little bit of rice boodles, julienned veggies, 2-3 shrimps on top and sprinkle with some sesame seeds. Start wrapping the ingredients from the bottom to the top, like a pancake. Stop halfway thorough and fold left and right sides of the paper sheet in, then roll till the end.
Dip your spring rolls in peanut butter sauce and enjoy.
For more summer recipe inspiration see Tetris Salad or Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho.
