Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Easy peasy rice paper rolls


Sure these are super-simple, but if you've never made them before, you might shy away thinking they're too fiddly.

They're not. They're SO not.

All you need is a bit of bench space, some pre-sliced veggies and pre-soaked rice noodles and you're ready to roll. You could add anything you like to these babies, but I tend to stick to the tried-and-true carrot/cucumber/capsicum trio. I'm thinking next time of maybe adding some marinated tofu batons to give them a bit more oomph, but I truly love the fresh taste of crispy veg and am not usually in the mood to have it overshadowed.

Don't ask me to pop in non-marinated tofu. I'm just not ready.

Oh and the dipping sauce is the funnest part of this. You could mix together some soy, lime juice, brown sugar and chopped chilli with a little coriander/cilantro, or you could just smother them in kecap manis like we do and roll about moaning over how good it is. I'm really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but sweet soy sauce is one of the greatest condiments of all time. OF ALL TIME.

Ingredients:

rice paper wrappers
rice noodles, soaked according to package directions
assorted veg, julienned
fresh herbs - I use coriander/cilantro and mint. And lots of it!

Directions:

1. I usually soak the rice paper wrappers in a shallow bowl of warm water until pliable. I also just saw on TV this is too much soaking, and you should just splash water on them and spread it around until it soaks in. I've not tried it, but it sounds good. Either way should be fine.

2. Line up your noodles, veg and herbs just a little ways up from the bottom of your wrapper, and away from the sides.

Like thus.

Then carefully fold the empty bottom part of the wrapper over the filling and gently fold in the sides. Don't be afraid to grip your contents fairly firmly with your fingers or you'll just squash the whole thing and end up wrapping it like Veggie Dad does. Don't do that.

Continue rolling, ensuring the sides are tucked in and press down the final edge to seal. I like to then rest it on the seal to help it stick together while I make the rest.

Et voila:

Dip. Eat. Moan. Make some more.

You know you want to.

17 comments:

  1. mmmmmmmmmoan. and i saw that thing about the soaking on tv too- looking forward to trying it, might make it less breaky/ fiddly? i love making these, will try them next time with kecap manis(awesome sauce). yum.

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  2. these look great - i am going to get over my hesitation with wrapped things - i have on my to do list: sushi, dumplings / potstickers and rice paper rolls - thanks fro the tips!

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  3. these are a summer favourite round at our place! though i LOVE adding sticks of marinated and fried tofu and if you like satay...add a smear of plain smooth peanut butter along with your soy sauce. oh, deliciousness right there.  SO easy. also so great for a group dinner - everyone makes theirs the way they like 'em.

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  4. I've never had mine break, but I'm no expert - I think I will listen to those who are! Awesome sauce is awesomesauce.

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  5. I always dread doing it, until I do it and remember it's not so bad after all! But will totally buy potstickers rather than making them. It's just that finding veg ones is so damn hard!

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  6. Ooh I like the idea of everyone doing their own! And Veggie Dad would be totally into satay. Excellent ideas!

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  7. LOVE these babies. We did them a while back & misses 4 & 6 loved the DIY action.  I want one now, actually...

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  8. YUM!! I always read your gorgeous posts on my phone which wont let me comment (naughty phone!)
    But tonight I'm sitting here on the puter, wanting to tell you that next week (when I get my kitchen back) I will most definitely be helping my girlies make rice paper rolls for their lunches. They will love them and I'm excited.
    Thanks Vegie Mama.xx

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  9. I LOVE rice paper rolls! I always seem to rip the paper when I make them though??

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  10. I can't wait to get Abby interested in that. She helped me mix the banana pikelets the other day, it was the cutest thing ever!

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  11. Oh hello darling! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you hang out here sometimes. I hope your beautiful babes love them xx

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  12. I do too, and I think it's because I've been soaking the paper... I'm going to take the TV advice and just run my wet fingers over them until pliable!

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  13. I am ADDICTED to rice paper rolls - OMG - often crave them and have found all the good places to buy them when I am out and about and can't be bothered making them.  Going tonight to the king of rolls - a Laotian chap who makes the best ones so I'll ask him for his technique and post later!  I agree with you about vege and herbs - that's what makes them and then the sauce - yumbo scrumbo!     You know what - hang the eggs - i'm making me some of these lovelies for breakfast - yum!

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  14. Breakfast rice paper rolls! You are a genius!

    I absolutely cannot get them pre-made anywhere where I live. Especially veg! SO SAD.

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  15. Ok - Wahn from Vientiane in Sydney (best eatery ever for anyone down this way - Laos food at its finest - so healthy and he makes the BEST rolls ever) .... well he says who need to soak the paper - but the trick is not for too long and the water can't be too hot - that's what causes the crises!    So go forth and experiment!  xxx

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  16. Excellent! Thank you so much! :)

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