Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

This Shrimp Rolls recipe originated from Vietnam and is also called Vietnamese Spring Rolls or Rice Paper Rolls.  A healthy and refreshing appetizer with fresh vegetables, meat and or shrimp are wrapped in rice paper. Fresh, easy to make and delicious when served with peanut sauce. If you are allergic or not a fan of peanuts, you can serve it with sweet chili sauce. 
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Let me talk about the rice paper. It is has to be dipped first in water before using.  Yes, dip for few seconds. Do not soak more than 20 seconds as they can become too soft and end up tearing apart. Make sure to follow package instructions as some brands require warm water and others say cold water. With my experience, warm water is better. 
Picture below is how to arrange them in rice paper before wrapping. But you can arrange them however you want it. For presentation of course, shrimps are lined up last then wrap them and roll tightly like a burrito or lumpia. 

For the vermicelli, make sure to follow my tips on how to prepare it. Some packaging does not have instructions on how to cook it. It is critical to know because you do not want soggy noodles for this recipe and my instructions below will give you a nice vermicelli noodles that is perfect for this Fresh Shrimp Rolls.
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FRESH shrimp rolls recipe

• 9-18 pieces cooked shrimps, peeled, deveined and sliced in half lengthwise.
• 6-12 pieces rice papers
• lettuce leaves
• small carrot, shredded or julienned
• cilantro
• 1 cucumber, seeded and sliced into 2 inches length
• 2-3 bundles vermicelli noodles, cooked according to packaging directions 

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​​TIPS for cooking Vermicelli noodles:  

• Soak vermicelli noodles in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain. 
• In a medium pot, boil 3 cups of water. Add the noodles. Cook for 1 minute. 
• Remove from heat. Drain and rinse in cold water. 
• Wait for 15 minutes. Noodles should be dry before using.

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video

Procedure:

• Take one piece of rice paper at a time. Dip it into warm water for 5-10 seconds. Follow package instructions as brand varies. Place it on a plate.
• Arrange ingredients starting from lettuce, noodles, cilantro, carrots, cucumber and shrimps. Please see photo above. Wrap it up to roll like a burrito or lumpia. 
• Recipe yields about12 pieces.
• Serve with peanut sauce. (Recipe below).​

peanut sauce recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 3 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 1/2 tbsp water
• 2 tsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha (optional)
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp chopped peanuts

Procedure:

• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except peanut butter and peanuts. Stir until sugar is fully dissolved.
• Add peanut butter and mix until mixture is smooth.
• Top with chopped peanuts. Add more if desired. 

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