Colorful Spring Rolls: A Fresh and Vibrant Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll Recipe
Stop Worrying About Them Tearing! How to Make Perfect Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls
Behold the vibrant beauty of Vietnamese rice paper rolls, a feast for the eyes! These delightful rolls are made by wrapping a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, or seafood in delicate rice paper. Once a less common dish in Korea, they have now become a popular and versatile favorite, perfect for packed lunches, healthy diets, or elegant home parties. The bright colors of the ingredients especially evoke the spirit of spring! To complement these fresh rolls, we’ve prepared a creamy, delightful dressing. While seemingly simple, many find making them a bit tricky. That’s why we’re sharing our expert tips, enhanced with double the secrets, to ensure your rolls are perfect every time. Follow this recipe closely, and let’s create delicious rolls together!
For the Rice Paper Rolls
- Rice paper wrappers
- Romaine lettuce
- Red cabbage
- Mango
- Bell peppers (various colors)
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Avocado
For the Creamy Sesame Dressing
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 pitted black olives
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp tahini (sesame paste)
- 8 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 pitted black olives
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp tahini (sesame paste)
- 8 Tbsp mayonnaise
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a blender, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, and pitted black olives. Blend until smooth.
Step 2
To the blended mixture, add the honey, tahini, and mayonnaise. Stir well until everything is creamy and well combined. This is your delicious creamy sesame dressing! Taste and adjust the sweetness or creaminess by adding more honey or mayonnaise if desired.
Step 3
Wash all your fresh vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Tear or thinly slice the romaine lettuce. Finely julienne the red cabbage, mango, bell peppers, carrot, and cucumber. Slice the avocado just before assembling to prevent browning.
Step 4
To hydrate the rice paper wrappers, briefly dip each one in cool water for just a few seconds, then immediately remove it. Do not soak them for too long, as they will become too soft and tear easily.
Step 5
Gently shake off any excess water from the hydrated rice paper. Place it on a clean work surface, like the edge of a cutting board or a plate, allowing a small portion to overhang. This makes it easier to fill and roll.
Step 6
Layer a piece of romaine lettuce onto the rice paper. Arrange your prepared fillings (julienned vegetables and fruits) neatly on top of the lettuce. Carefully fold in the sides of the rice paper, then roll it up tightly like a spring roll, using the lettuce as an inner wrapper to hold the ingredients together. (A helpful tip: You can first roll the lettuce with the fillings inside, then wrap this lettuce roll with the rice paper for extra security and a neater finish.)
Step 7
Once rolled, place the spring rolls in a container and refrigerate for about 5 minutes. This brief chilling period helps the rolls firm up, making them easier to slice.
Step 8
When it’s time to slice the spring rolls, lightly dampen your knife blade with water. This prevents the rice paper from sticking to the knife, ensuring clean, smooth cuts.
Step 9
Slice the rolls into your desired serving size and enjoy them with the creamy sesame dressing!
Step 10
We hope you found this recipe helpful! Remember the key tips highlighted throughout – **especially steps 3, 4, 5, and 7**. Following these will ensure your rice paper rolls don’t tear or fall apart, guaranteeing a beautiful and delicious result. Enjoy this healthy and flavorful meal made with fresh ingredients!
