Vietnamese-inspired Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

While the original Tequeños are deep-fried and filled with cheese, these Vietnamese-inspired spring rolls are fresh and vibrant. The filling consists of julienned vegetables and herbs, providing a lighter and healthier alternative. Additionally, the rice paper wrappers are used instead of dough, giving the rolls a delicate and chewy texture. The tangy dipping sauce adds a Vietnamese twist to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Tequeños, so you can check it out.

• 12 rice paper wrappers 12 rice paper wrappers
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
• 1 cup fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil) 1 cup fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil)
• 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 garlic clove, minced 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 red chili, finely chopped (optional) 1 red chili, finely chopped (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 8g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Prepare all the vegetables and herbs by julienning them into thin strips.
2. 2.
   Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for a few seconds until it becomes pliable.
3. 3.
   Place the softened rice paper wrapper on a clean surface. Arrange a small amount of each vegetable, herbs, and crushed peanuts in the center of the wrapper.
4. 4.
   Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, then roll it tightly from bottom to top, sealing the edges.
5. 5.
   Repeat the process with the remaining rice paper wrappers and filling ingredients.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, honey, minced garlic, and chopped red chili (if using) to make the dipping sauce.
7. 7.
   Serve the spring rolls with the dipping sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice paper wrappers — Dip them in warm water just until pliable, as over-soaking can make them too sticky to handle.
• Fresh herbs — Use a combination of mint, cilantro, and Thai basil for an authentic Vietnamese flavor.
• Dipping sauce — Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the rice paper wrappers from sticking together, place a damp cloth or paper towel between each layer.
• Customize the filling by adding cooked shrimp, tofu, or vermicelli noodles.
• Serve the spring rolls immediately after assembling to maintain their freshness and texture.
• For a crispier texture, lightly pan-fry the spring rolls in a small amount of oil before serving.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces like peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce.

Serving advice

Arrange the spring rolls on a platter and garnish with additional herbs and crushed peanuts. Serve them as an appetizer or light meal, accompanied by the tangy dipping sauce.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, serve the spring rolls on a bed of lettuce leaves or on a wooden board. Arrange them in a neat row and garnish with fresh herbs and crushed peanuts.