Thai spring rolls, also known as fresh spring rolls or salad rolls, are a delightful appetizer or snack made with fresh ingredients like vegetables, herbs, rice noodles, and protein, often shrimp or tofu. A step-by-step guide on how to make Thai spring rolls:
Ingredients:
For the Spring Rolls:
- 8-10 spring roll rice paper wrappers
- 16-20 cooked shrimp (medium-sized), peeled and deveined (or use tofu for a vegetarian version)
- Rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled
- Fresh lettuce leaves (such as Boston or Romaine)
- Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, and Thai basil)
- Julienne-cut carrots
- Julienne-cut cucumber
- Avocado slices (optional)
- Bean sprouts (optional)
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons chili sauce or Sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cook and cool the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions.
- Arrange all the filling ingredients (cooked shrimp, noodles, lettuce, herbs, carrots, cucumber, avocado, and bean sprouts) on a clean workspace for easy assembly.
2. Soften the Rice Paper Wrappers:
- Fill a large shallow bowl or a pie dish with warm water.
- Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for about 5-10 seconds until it becomes soft and pliable. Be careful not to over-soak, as it will become too delicate to work with.
- Place the softened rice paper wrapper on a clean, damp kitchen towel or a plate.
3. Assemble the Spring Roll:
- Start by placing a lettuce leaf in the center of the rice paper wrapper.
- Add a small amount of rice vermicelli noodles on top of the lettuce.
- Place fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, and Thai basil) on top of the noodles.
- Add your choice of fillings: cooked shrimp (or tofu for a vegetarian version), julienne-cut carrots, cucumber, avocado slices (if using), and bean sprouts (if using).
4. Roll the Spring Roll:
- Carefully fold the sides of the rice paper wrapper over the fillings.
- Then, start rolling from the bottom, tucking the fillings in as you go.
- Roll tightly but gently to avoid tearing the rice paper.
5. Repeat:
- Continue this process with the remaining rice paper wrappers and fillings.
6. Prepare the Dipping Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, minced garlic, and chili sauce (or Sriracha). Adjust the spice level to your preference.
7. Serve:
- Serve the Thai spring rolls immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.
- Optionally, you can cut the spring rolls in half diagonally before serving to make them easier to dip.
Enjoy your homemade Thai spring rolls as a light and refreshing appetizer or snack!