Vegetarian Vietnamese Spring Rolls Recipes

VEGETARIAN SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Soak the cellophane noodles in warm water for 20 minutes. Drain the noodles and cut into pieces about 3 inches long.
• To make the filling, in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat, warm the oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook until light brown. Add the carrots and celery and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the shiitake and tree ear mushrooms and cabbage and cook, stirring, until the cabbage is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Add the salt, pepper, and sugar, and stir until combined. Add the bean sprouts and stir for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cellophane noodles and stir for another minute. Add the fried tofu, stirring gently to combine. Transfer the filling to a colander and set aside until the mixture is well drained.
• Fill a large bowl with very warm water. Dip one sheet of rice paper halfway into the water and quickly rotate to moisten the entire sheet. Lay the wet rice paper on a flat work surface. Spread about 1/3 cup of the filling over the bottom third of the rice paper. Spread about 1/4 cup of the vermicelli over the filling, and top with a few mint leaves. Fold in the left and right sides of the rice paper, then fold the bottom edge up and over the filling tightly and roll toward the top end to form a tight cylinder. Repeat with the remaining rice paper and filling.
• The rolls can be made up to 2 hours in advance. Cover the rolls with a damp towel until ready to serve. Just before serving, cut each roll crosswise into three or four pieces and serve with the peanut sauce.

VIETNAMESE FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.
• Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce.
• In another small bowl, mix the hoisin sauce and peanuts.
• Serve rolled spring rolls with the fish sauce and hoisin sauce mixtures.

VEGETARIAN FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the carrots, green onions, cabbage, olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper: toss well.
• Let marinate at room temp for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, place the noodles in a medium bowl.
• Cover with boiling water and soak for 10 minutes, or until the noodles are softened.
• Drain well and snip into 2-inch pieces.
• Set aside.
• Place about 2 Tablespoons of the noodles and about 2 Tablespoons of the vegetable mixture about 1-inch from the lower edge of each rice paper round.
• Sprinkle with basil/mint leaves.
• Fold the bottom edge over the filling; fold in both sides and roll up tightly.
• Press to seal.
• Place on a plate seam side down; cover with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for 10 minutes (you may also make these ahead of time and refrigerate for several hours).
• Two quick sauces (or use hoisin, hot mustard, etc): In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce and sesame oil.
• In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut oil, hot sesame oil, garlic and sugar.
• Serve as a dipping sauce with the spring rolls.
• NOTE: To soften the rice-paper rounds before rolling them, fill a large bowl with warm water.
• Dip each rice-paper round into the water for 10 seconds, or until softened and transluceent.
• Remove and let drain on a clean dish towel.
• Do not stack the rice papers; they will stick together.