Mandarin Spring Rolls

Ingredients

• 12 spring roll wrappers 12 spring roll wrappers
• 200g (7 oz) cabbage, finely shredded 200g (7 oz) cabbage, finely shredded
• 100g (3.5 oz) carrots, julienned 100g (3.5 oz) carrots, julienned
• 100g (3.5 oz) mushrooms, thinly sliced 100g (3.5 oz) mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) bean sprouts 100g (3.5 oz) bean sprouts
• 200g (7 oz) minced meat (chicken, pork, or beef) 200g (7 oz) minced meat (chicken, pork, or beef)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch 1 tsp cornstarch
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, minced meat, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
2. 2.
   Take one spring roll wrapper and place it on a clean surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling onto the lower third of the wrapper.
3. 3.
   Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in the sides. Roll up tightly, sealing the edges with a bit of water.
4. 4.
   Repeat the process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
5. 5.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium heat. Carefully place the spring rolls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally.
6. 6.
   Remove the spring rolls from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
7. 7.
   Serve the Mandarin Spring Rolls hot with your choice of dipping sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cabbage — Make sure to finely shred the cabbage to ensure even cooking and distribution within the filling.
• Bean sprouts — Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly and pat them dry before adding them to the filling to prevent excess moisture.
• Spring roll wrappers — Keep the wrappers covered with a damp cloth while assembling the rolls to prevent them from drying out.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier texture, you can double-fry the spring rolls. After the initial frying, let them cool for a few minutes, then fry them again until they turn golden brown.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces such as hoisin sauce, plum sauce, or peanut sauce to add variety to your Mandarin Spring Rolls.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute the minced meat with tofu or additional vegetables.

Serving advice

Serve the Mandarin Spring Rolls as an appetizer or as part of a Chinese-inspired meal. They pair well with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Mandarin Spring Rolls on a platter, garnished with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for an appealing presentation. Serve them alongside a small bowl of the dipping sauce.