Summer Rolls

Every time Brook and I go to our local Pho restaurant, we always order the summer rolls. We are obsessed with the Peanut Hoisin sauce that is served with it. What I love about summer rolls is that it is like sandwich - you can put anything in it. A lot of traditional Vietnamese versions include pork or shrimp.

If you read my earlier post about my house warming party, I served a vegan version with tofu, so will be sharing that recipe here:

Ingredients for Tofu Summer Roll





Rice Paper

Firm Tofu

Rice Stick (also known as rice noodles or bean thread noodles)

Romaine Lettuce (with stem cut out)

Shredded carrots or pre cut matchstick carrots

Sea salt

Fresh cracked pepper

Ingredients for Peanut Hoisin sauce:

4 TBSP Hoisin Sauce (I bought mine from Publix)

1 TBSP Creamy peanut butter

1 TSP Sesame oil

2 TBSP water

1 TBSP soy sauce

Prep:

1) Cook the rice stick according to directions, usually boil for about 5-8 minutes until soft. Strain hot water,  and rinse noodles with cold water. Set aside.

2) Open and drain tofu package, and cut tofu in long slices.

3) Preheat the frying pan to med-high heat. Add some canola oil in the pan.

4) Flick some water onto the pan, if you hear crackling or sizzling, the pan is hot enough. Add your slices of tofu, sprinkle with some sea salt and cracked pepper

5) Cook both sides of tofu until a golden brown crust as formed, remove from pan onto a plate with paper towel. Let cool.

Some got stuck to the pan - Oops!

 

Assembly:

1) Grab a large bowl or container larger than the size of the rice paper

2) Fill the bowl with lukewarm water and place one sheet of rice paper in the bowl. Make sure you use a sheet of rice paper this is not cracked or broken:

3) Allow to soak for 5-10 seconds until it softens (you to not want it to turn too soft or mushy)

4) Carefully remove rice paper and place on a kitchen towel for about 30 seconds so that it firms up again

5) When ready, move the rice paper to your prep surface (cutting board)

6) Add your fillings, I usually layer with rice stick first, carrots, lettuce, and tofu at the top.

7) Fold over one side of rice paper to the other, making a half circle

8) Fold in the sides like you would a burrito

9) Then gently, and tightly roll up the rest of the rice paper

10) Set aside on a plate and cover with a moist paper towel so it does not dry out.

11) Make sauce and serve!

Tofu summer roll with Peanut Hoisin Sauce, Shrimp summer roll with Thai sweet chili sauce