Recipe: Whip up these appetizing Vietnamese spring rolls
Vietnamese spring rolls, traditionally known as goi cuon, are a popular dish from Vietnam, celebrated for their fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. These rolls are typically packed with vegetables, rice noodles, and sometimes meat or seafood, all wrapped in rice paper. Our version takes a vegetarian and eggless twist on this classic dish, making it accessible to more diets. Let's get cooking!
Gather the following ingredients
To make these vegetarian Vietnamese spring rolls, you will need: eight to 10 rice paper wrappers, one cup of cooked rice vermicelli noodles, one cucumber (julienned), one carrot (julienned), one bell pepper (thinly sliced), one-fourth cup of fresh mint leaves, one-fourth cup of fresh cilantro leaves, and hoisin sauce for dipping. This combination ensures a colorful and crunchy filling.
Prepare the vegetables
Start by washing all your vegetables thoroughly under cold water. Peel the carrot and then julienne both the carrot and cucumber into thin strips about the length of your rice paper wrappers. Slice the bell pepper into similar thin strips. This preparation ensures that each roll has a crisp texture and that all ingredients blend well together in each bite.
Cook rice vermicelli noodles
Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions—usually just a few minutes until they are soft but not mushy. Drain them in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop them from cooking further. Set aside to cool down slightly before assembling your spring rolls.
Assemble your spring rolls
Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip a rice paper wrapper into the water for two seconds until it's pliable but not too soft. Lay it flat on a surface. Place a handful of noodles, cucumber, carrot, bell pepper strips, mint, and cilantro leaves on one edge, leaving an inch empty on each side for folding.
Roll them up!
First, fold the sides of the wrapper over your filling. Then, roll it tightly from bottom to top, like a burrito. Ensure you're tucking in all the fillings as you go, so nothing falls out during serving or eating. This method keeps the spring rolls intact and makes sure every bite is filled with the delicious combination of vegetables and noodles.
