Banh Cuon - Wet Rice Paper Spring Rolls

This appetizer dish takes just as much time to make as the spring rolls made with rice paper. For me, banh cuon takes longer because I haven't mastered the process. Plus each wet rice paper must be cooked before rolling. I guess this appetizer is Thai Lao version of the French crepe.

You can purchase the wet rice paper batter and follow the instructions. In my video, I cook the wet rice paper differently from the instructions because that is how my cousin taught me. I fill it with ground pork and dark fungus mushrooms. For best presentation, roll the wet rice paper spring rolls flat. Serve the wet spring rolls with the spring roll dipping sauce.

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Thai Lao Fried Shrimp Rolls

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Marta! What do I give to someone who has everything--health, a loving husband with a successful real estate business, a fulfilling career, and a classy condo? So today I acknowledge and celebrate this day as "Marta Day." When I moved from home to the city to go to school, I did not know a soul. Marta and I met in class and have become friends for 13 years. My 2nd home is a Polish home as Marta, Mamus, Tatus, and Magda quickly adopted me.

Marta hosted the New Year's party and I brought these shrimp roll wraps. If anyone has a chance to go to a Polish party, I highly recommend it because Polish people know how to party! I had the best new year's party ever. Thank you Marta for everything and Happy Birthday!

Appetizer Recipe: Fried Shrimp Rolls
Egg roll wraps
Shrimp that are devein and shell removed except for tail
Salt
Vegetable oil
1 egg

Purchase large egg roll wraps and cut squares from one corner the other create triangle sheets. Season shrimp with salt and optional pepper. Separate egg white from egg yolk. Stir the egg yolk. Take one triangle sheet and place one shrimp so that the tail hangs over sheet. Roll the wrap and tuck in sides. Seal wrap with egg yolk. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Submerge shrimp wraps into oil. Stir occasionally. Shrimp will take less than 2 minutes to cook. Remove shrimp from heat and strain excess oil. Serve fried shrimp rolls with the Spring Roll Dipping Sauce or the curry peanut dipping sauce.

Spring Rolls made with Rice Paper

These spring roll appetizer are so easy to make and very healthy because it is not deep fried. Fill the rice paper with anything you want. Also see wet rice paper spring rolls

In my video, you’ll see that I made a vegetarian spring roll filled with lettuce, carrots, avocado, green onions, long green beans, snow peas, mint, cilantro, and baby mixed greens. Traditional spring rolls are filled with sin khao bune (vermicelli noodles), pork, herbs and banana blossoms.

Instructions on how to make Spring Rolls:
1. Place a damp cloth over a flat surface.
2. Submerge a rice paper into hot water for less than 4 seconds.
3. Place the soft rice paper on to the damp cloth
4. Fill rice paper with vegetables and arrange neatly.
5. Roll the rice paper while tucking in vegetables .
6. Fold in the sides and finish rolling.
7. Roll and complete two rotations.

lf the spring rolls are made prior to serving, place the damp cloth over the spring rolls to keep the rice paper moist. Garnish the spring roll sauce with Crushed Toasted Peanuts.

Also see the wet rice paper spring rolls, spring roll dipping sauce, the toasting peanuts, and the appetizer recipe sites.