Fresh & Delicious Spring Rolls: Easy Vietnamese Summer Rolls Recipe
Make Healthy & Delicious Vietnamese Summer Rolls at Home!
Experience a delightful explosion of colors and flavors with these fresh Vietnamese Summer Rolls! Combining crisp vegetables, tender chicken breast, and savory imitation crab sticks, these rolls are perfectly complemented by a rich peanut dipping sauce. This recipe is easy to follow, making it a fantastic and healthy meal option for the whole family.
Summer Roll Ingredients
- 30 sheets rice paper wrappers
- 30 perilla leaves (깻잎)
- 2 bell peppers (use a variety of colors for visual appeal)
- 5 strips of kimbap-style pickled radish (danmuji)
- 5 strips of kimbap-style imitation crab sticks
- 1/2 carrot
- 2 chicken breasts
- A small bunch of radish sprouts
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the carrot thoroughly and peel it. Then, slice it diagonally into slightly thick pieces, about 1/2 inch thick, and cut these into long strips. (Slicing them this way ensures they aren’t too thick or too thin, providing a good texture.)
Step 2
Take the 5 strips of imitation crab sticks and cut each one in half lengthwise. Then, cut these halves into 3 equal pieces, resulting in a total of 30 smaller pieces. This size is ideal for filling the rice paper.
Step 3
For the bell peppers, remove the seeds and inner membranes. Slice them lengthwise to match the thickness of the imitation crab sticks. Using different colored bell peppers will make your summer rolls visually stunning.
Step 4
Prepare the pickled radish (danmuji) similarly to the imitation crab sticks. Cut each strip in half lengthwise first, then cut these halves into 3 equal pieces. Ensuring all ingredients are cut to a similar size makes rolling much easier.
Step 5
Wash the 30 perilla leaves under running water and gently pat them dry. Trim off the tough stems. Wash the radish sprouts carefully under cool running water and drain them well. Their fresh, peppery taste will add a lovely freshness.
Step 6
Prepare the chicken breasts. You can boil them or pan-fry them until cooked through. Once cooked, slice them into strips that are similar in length and thickness to the imitation crab sticks.
Step 7
Lightly grease a frying pan with cooking oil. Add the sliced chicken breast and sprinkle generously with herb salt (or regular salt and pepper). Sauté the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through. Ensure it’s cooked completely.
Step 8
All the basic ingredients for assembling your summer rolls are now prepared! You have a vibrant and appealing selection of fresh vegetables and protein ready to go.
Step 9
Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Briefly dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water, letting it soften for about 15-20 seconds. Don’t oversoak, or it will become too sticky and tear easily. Carefully lift the softened wrapper and place it on a clean, damp surface. Lay one perilla leaf on one half of the wrapper, overlapping slightly. This adds flavor and helps prevent tearing.
Step 10
Arrange your prepared fillings (carrot, bell pepper, imitation crab stick, danmuji, chicken breast, radish sprouts) attractively over the perilla leaf. Don’t overfill, as it will make rolling difficult. Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper up and over the fillings. Then, fold in the sides. Finally, roll it up tightly from the bottom to create a neat parcel. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and ingredients.
Step 11
These beautifully rolled summer rolls are best enjoyed with a delicious peanut dipping sauce! Dip generously into your favorite peanut sauce and take a bite. The combination of fresh ingredients and the rich, savory sauce is truly delightful. Make your dinner special tonight with these healthy and flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls!
