I know it's February and I'm posting spring rolls. But the last few days, it hasn't felt at all like the dead of winter. I've felt the sun warm on my face, I see tiny buds popping up on tree limbs, and 6 0'clock rolls around and I can still see the sun - maybe just remnant rays, but it's not dark.
It's likely not the end of winter, and I don't want it to be. I have more skiing to do! But these early signs of spring make me crave fresh flavors and crunch. Spring rolls embody both. Fill your delicate rice paper rounds with anything you're craving - no rules! I must have avocado and shrimp, but I'm not crazy about the vermicelli noodles that are so often wrapped inside.
When you make fresh spring rolls there are a couple of things to remember: have all of your fillings prepared in advance, work quickly with the wrappers, and keep the rolls covered with a damp paper towel if you're making several. I say work quickly and that the wrappers are delicate, but they're also surprisingly sturdy. It amazed me that I could pull the wrapper tightly around the filling and roll without having it tear. So have a light touch, but don't be intimidated. And if you're making these for the first time, I recommend taking a look at this excellent tutorial of the process.
I chose to make a simple peanut dipping sauce for these, but Thai Sweet Chili Sauce is another great option.
Looking for more recipes with fresh flavors and crunch? Don't miss these recipes for: Crab Salad, Greek Salad, Nicoise Salad and Shrimp Tacos.
Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp and Peanut Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
For the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha or to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
For the Spring Rolls:
- 9 medium raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- salt
- white vinegar
- 6 round rice paper sheets
- 6 leaves small romaine lettuce
- 2 carrots scrubbed and sliced into matchsticks
- ½ cucumber peeled and sliced into matchsticks
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 1 cup cabbage very thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup basil leaves very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves very thinly sliced
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted, and very thinly sliced
Instructions
For the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
- Whisk lime juice, peanut butter, and honey together in a small bowl or measuring cup until honey is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Serve or refrigerate until needed.
For the Spring Rolls:
- Bring a skillet about half full of salted water to a boil (you want just enough water to cover the shrimp); add a splash of vinegar. Add shrimp to boiling water and cook just until pink and cooked through; remove with a slotted spoon. Rinse quickly under cold water to cool. Slice each shrimp in half, lengthwise. Set aside.
- Wet a paper towel with cold water and squeeze until just damp. Place on serving tray and set aside.
- Fill a pie plate or other shallow bowl with hot, not boiling water.
- To assemble the rolls, dip one sheet of rice paper in hot water until pliable - about 5 seconds. Place on a smooth work surface. Place a lettuce leaf near the middle of the wrapper and top with about ⅙ of each filling ingredient, ending with prawn halves (don't over-stuff the roll).
- Carefully lift an edge of the wrapper that runs long-wise to the filling. Pull it up over the filling, then lift the wrapper at each end of the filling; pull it up around the filling ends and press lightly. Continue rolling, holding the ends, until the wrapper overlaps itself and filling is completely enclosed. Transfer to serving plate, seam side down. Cover with damp paper towel. Repeat with the remaining rolls.
- Serve with peanut dipping sauce or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Beautiful pictures & great instructions. Thanks!
Oh, my word. I actually made a noise when I saw that first spring roll picture. These look so good!
What a nice complement!
I've never try spring rolls like this, sound so delicious ... It will be hard to find some ingredients but I'll try!
Those look soooo good! Remember the ones from East West Cafe?
I do remember! SO miss those lunches...
I love a good peanut sauce, and these wraps look healthy and fresh. Yum going to bookmark now to make at a later date 🙂
Thanks!
Handheld salad = perfect. Looks delish.
What a great way to look at it!
It's still absolutely perfect enough here in the other end of the world to make these for us! 😀
I know - I thought of you when I was making these.
Although it may not be the end of winter for you - i am so glad you posted these! The weather is always pleasent here in Mexico, and this is something I would love to make - it looks so fresh!!
Nice to live in a place where the weather is always good!
I´m always on the verge of making this type of rolls, but never do. You´ve convinced me. I will buy them next time I´m in the chinese market. That dipping sauce sounds amazing!
I know what you mean. It took me forever to try them and then it was so easy! 🙂
This style of roll is one of my favorites. 🙂 Besides, who doesn't want to shovel as much peanut sauce as possible into their mouths--especially when combined with crunchy veg?
I agree - love peanut sauce!