One of my good friends is from Cambodia and her love language is food. We no longer live close to her, but when we did, she regularly came over to share a meal with us AND DID THE COOKING!! (That’s what I call a true friend!!) She has so many delicious meals, but an easy one that I continue to make are Spring Rolls. I have changed the recipe over the years for my own personal ease and tastes – but here’s the gist.
Spring roll wrappers – you can buy these in all Asian grocery stores, and many regular grocery stores. If you have never used them, you pull one out of the package and dip it in hot tap water for a few seconds and then pull it out and fill it. When you dip it in the water, it will soften up, but stay a little stiff – but will continue to soften after you take it out. You don’t have to wait until it is completely floppy to take it out of the water. After you add the fillings, you roll it up like a burrito – easy peasy!!
Asian noodles – I like wheat, not rice for this – cook these first then drain and rinse. As you rinse them, you can make little bundles that you can easily put in your spring roll wrapper.
Fillings –
- carrots – shredded or cut long and skinny
- cucumber – long skinny sticks
- green onion
- noodles (see above)
- cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great) or shrimp
- cilantro
- bean sprouts
*This ends the list of my standard spring roll. Customize to your tastes – here are things other people regularly put in them:
- mint or Thai basil (many people like this – I’m not one of them)
- avocado
- mango
- pineapple
- jalapeno peppers
- chopped peanuts or cashews
- sushi rice
- shredded purple cabbage
- baby spinach
- lettuce
It’s hard to tell in this picture – but here are my fillings piled on my softened spring roll wrapper. Final steps – roll, dip and eat!!
Dipping Sauce – I use the House of Tsang Bangkok Peanut Sauce – It’s easy, delicious, available at Walmart and my local grocery store and has a little kick to it. I also really like the dipping sauce recipes shared by Sara Wells on Our Best Bites.
If you have leftovers, or want to make them ahead, store them in an airtight container and/or cover them with damp paper towel.
And there you have it – dinner sorted!! I hope you enjoy this easy, no-cook meal for your summer (or anytime really….)
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