Fresh Spring Rolls (from Vietnam)

Compliments of Hoa Tuc - 12 rolls

Ingredients:

About 20 shrimp

Pork

Rice noodles

12 rice paper - or a few more in case they break

12 green lettuce leaves sliced Julienne

Fresh basil

Fresh mint

Bean sprouts

Chives

Directions:

Prepare the shrimp - in a sauce pan bring water with a pinch of salt to a boil over medium heat.  Add the shrimp and simmer for 1 or 2 minutes until pink.  Remove the shrimp.  Peel and cut in 2 parts and then set aside.

Prepare the pork - heat oil in a wok over medium heat.  Sear pork for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.  When pork cools, thinly slice it into bite size pieces.

Wrapping the rolls - To make the fresh rolls, quickly dip a rice paper wrapper in a bowl of water until it is soft (or wet the paper just a bit by dipping your fingers in water and running it across the top).  Remove the rice paper and place on a dry surface, smoothing it out with your fingers.  Like a burrito, on one side of the rice paper place the lettuce and then the rice noodles and top with some basil, mint, chili, and bean sprouts.  Add a line of pork then a line of 3 pieces of shrimp.  Fold the 2 sides parallel and roll up tightly, pressing to seal.

Serve the fresh spring rolls with a bowl of peanut sauce on the side and enjoy!