Fresh Vietnamese Shrimp and Herb Spring Rolls
Dive into a world of vibrant flavors with these Fresh Vietnamese Shrimp and Herb Spring Rolls. Unlike the usual fried appetizers, these spring rolls are a delightful mix of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and succulent shrimp, all wrapped in delicate rice paper. Perfect for warm weather gatherings, they are not only light and refreshing but also versatile, allowing for variations based on seasonal ingredients. Serve them with a tangy fish sauce and a sweet hoisin-peanut dip for an unforgettable culinary experience that your family and friends will love.
N/A
Servings
75
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
rice vermicelli
2 ounces (cooked)
rice paper sheets
8 sheets (8.5 inch diameter)
large cooked shrimp
8 (peeled, deveined, and halved)
chopped fresh Thai basil
1 1/3 tablespoons (fresh)
chopped fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons (fresh)
chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons (fresh)
lettuce
2 leaves (chopped)
fish sauce
4 teaspoons (n/a)
water
1/4 cup (n/a)
fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons (fresh)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
white sugar
2 tablespoons (n/a)
chili-garlic sauce
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons (n/a)
finely chopped peanuts
1 teaspoon (n/a)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by boiling a medium saucepan of water and then add the rice vermicelli. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente. Drain them and set aside to cool.
2
2. Prepare a large bowl filled with warm water. Take one rice paper wrapper and dip it into the warm water for about 1 second to soften it. Lay the softened wrapper flat on a clean working surface.
3
3. In the center of the wrapper, arrange 2 halves of the cooked shrimp, a small handful of the prepared rice vermicelli, followed by a generous sprinkle of chopped Thai basil, mint leaves, cilantro, and the chopped lettuce. Be sure to leave about 2 inches of the wrapper uncovered on each side.
4
4. Carefully fold the uncovered sides inward and then tightly roll the wrapper from the end nearest to you, ensuring all the ingredients are neatly enclosed. Repeat this process for the remaining ingredients until all spring rolls are made.
5
5. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, water, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, white sugar, and chili-garlic sauce until well combined.
6
6. In another small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce with finely chopped peanuts to create a sweet and crunchy dipping sauce.
7
7. Plate the freshly rolled spring rolls and serve them alongside the fish sauce and hoisin-peanut dipping sauces for an enjoyable appetizer experience.
Nutrition Information
1.4g
Fat
10.5g
Carbs
5.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Fresh Vietnamese Shrimp and Herb Spring Rolls?
They are a refreshing Vietnamese appetizer made of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and succulent shrimp wrapped in delicate rice paper.
Are these spring rolls fried?
No, these are fresh spring rolls (Gแปi cuแปn), which are served chilled or at room temperature rather than being deep-fried.
How many calories are in one serving of these spring rolls?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
What ingredients are needed for the filling?
The filling consists of rice vermicelli, large cooked shrimp, Thai basil, mint, cilantro, and chopped lettuce.
How long should I cook the rice vermicelli?
The rice vermicelli should be boiled for 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture.
How do I soften the rice paper wrappers?
Dip one rice paper wrapper into a bowl of warm water for about 1 second until it begins to soften, then lay it flat.
What size rice paper sheets are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8.5-inch diameter rice paper sheets.
How should the shrimp be prepared?
The shrimp should be cooked, peeled, deveined, and then halved lengthwise.
What herbs give these rolls their aromatic flavor?
A combination of chopped fresh Thai basil, mint leaves, and cilantro provides the signature aromatic flavor.
How do I roll the spring rolls properly?
Fold the uncovered sides of the rice paper inward and then tightly roll the wrapper from the end nearest you to enclose the ingredients.
What is in the fish sauce dipping sauce?
The dip is a whisked mixture of fish sauce, water, lime juice, minced garlic, white sugar, and chili-garlic sauce.
How is the hoisin-peanut dip made?
It is made by combining 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce with 1 teaspoon of finely chopped peanuts.
What is the protein content of these spring rolls?
Each serving provides 5.4g of protein.
Is this recipe considered low-fat?
Yes, these spring rolls are relatively low in fat, containing only 1.4g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these rolls?
There are approximately 10.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I vary the ingredients in these spring rolls?
Yes, they are very versatile and can be adapted based on seasonal ingredients or personal preference.
How many rice paper sheets does this recipe use?
The recipe uses 8 rice paper sheets.
What kind of lettuce should I use?
The recipe suggests using 2 leaves of chopped lettuce to provide a fresh crunch.
Is the chili-garlic sauce essential?
It adds a subtle spice to the fish sauce dip, but you can adjust the amount to suit your spice tolerance.
How much lime juice is needed for the sauce?
You will need 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice for the fish sauce dip.
What is the primary flavor profile of these rolls?
The flavor is light, vibrant, and aromatic, balanced by the salty, sweet, and tangy notes of the dipping sauces.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 15 total ingredients including the components for the dipping sauces.
Do I need to cook the shrimp myself?
The recipe lists 'large cooked shrimp,' so you can either cook them yourself or use pre-cooked shrimp to save time.
Is there sugar in the recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of white sugar are used to balance the flavors in the fish sauce dipping sauce.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Fresh herbs are highly recommended for this recipe to achieve the traditional vibrant flavor and texture.
How much water is used in the fish sauce dip?
The fish sauce dip requires 1/4 cup of water.
What category of food does this fall under?
This is a Vietnamese seafood appetizer, specifically a type of fresh spring roll.
How much hoisin sauce is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce for the secondary dipping sauce.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
One garlic clove should be finely minced for use in the fish sauce dip.
Is the rice vermicelli amount measured before or after cooking?
The recipe specifies 2 ounces of rice vermicelli (dry weight) which is then cooked.