Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

Our 1st international holiday as a couple was a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia . It was a very non - conventional holiday destination for a newly married couple and we pretty much wanted that . That holiday was my 1st exposure to Vietnamese food and I simply loved every bit of it . Vietnamese cuisine is my idea of the ultimate “accidentally healthy” food . Most of their dishes are super fresh, full of bright flavors, loaded with herbs and salads and with the least bit of protein. The dressings and sauces are refreshingly light and devoid of oil .

The Vietnamese Rice paper rolls are something i loved and enjoyed on the go at Hanoi. Packed with bright , fresh flavors and served with an insanely addictive Vietnamese Peanut Dipping Sauce , it is a quick dish with oodles of flavor . The dipping sauce takes less than a minute to make , if you have all the ingredients ready . I have added a step wise photo below to show you on how to roll the roll this but before that , let me take you through the things you will need :

Things you will need

• 7 - 14 sheets of rice paper ( Available in any grocery store - In India , look for the company - Real Thai Rice Paper rolls )

• 01 cup of pan fried prawns/ shrimp / chicken - whichever protein you wish to use as the filling

• 50 gm of soaked vermicelli noodles or glass noodles

• Some bean sprouts ( this is optional )

• Handful of lettuce leaves ( use a lettuce with soft leaves only)

• Hand full of coriander leaves

• English Cucumber & Baby Carrots , cut in thin julienne

• Bowl of water

• Salt and pepper - to taste

Steps

• Keep all the filling ingredients ready by your side in individual bowls , so it is easy as you assemble the roll

• On a chopping board , lay your rice paper sheet and rub it with little water as you watch it soften .

• Place the lettuce and wrap the noodles and bean sprouts in the lettuce to roll easily

• Place the lettuce roll , followed by glass noodle on top - the protein ( here i have used prawns ) , coriander leaves and finely julienne English cucumber and carrot . Top with a dash of salt and pepper .

• Roll the rice paper sheet into a longitudinal parcel or to form a roll

• Refer the image below for a step wise photo narration on '' how to roll ''

• Set the aside on your serving platter .

Things you will need for the Peanut Dipping sauce

• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 Tablespoon Hoisin sauce

• 2 teaspoons soy sauce

• 1 clove garlic, mashed (or about 1 teaspoon minced)

• 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce or a chili garlic sauce, optional for spice

• 1–2 Tablespoons warm water, or more as needed

• optional garnish: crushed peanuts, sprinkle of crushed red pepper

Mix together everything for the perfect dipping sauce and serve .

Pro - Tip : You can also serve the same with Japanese sushi soy as well . If neither of the items are available , just mix 04 tbsp of normal soy with 01 tbsp of water and add 1 tsp julienned ginger + 1/2 tsp sugar+ 1/2 tsp salt . Tastes equally good and goes well with the ro