Fresh Spring Rolls

To create Thai peanut dipping sauce from scratch, place the following ingredients in a blender or food processor:

• 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. dark soy sauce
• 2 tsp. sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR Vegetarian fish sauce, OR 3 Tbsp. soy sauce)
• 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste
• 1 tsp. chili sauce

Process well. Now do a taste test for sugar and salt, adding more brown sugar or fish sauce as needed. If too salty for your taste, add a squeeze of lime juice. Fill a large bowl half full of hot water (but not scalding, as you will have to dip your fingers in it). Place bowl and wrappers on a clean working surface, such as a cutting board.

Spring rolls INGREDIENTS:

• 1 package dried rice rolls (also called "rice paper")
• 1 cup cooked chicken or turkey, sliced or cut into bite-size pieces, and tossed in 2-3 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR substitute 1 cup cooked small or medium-sized shrimp - fresh, canned, or frozen, tossed in 2 Tbsp. soy sauce) - If Vegetarian, substitute baked tofu or flavored wheat gluten
• 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1 cup fresh sweet basil, roughly chopped if leaves are large
• 1/2 large cucumber, sliced into matchstick-like pieces
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Except for the rice rolls, place each of the above ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.

Preparation

1. Prepare the Spring Rolls Dipping Sauce.
2. Prepare Spring Roll Ingredients.
3. Prepare a Bowl of Hot Water for the Rice Wrappers.
4. Soften Rice Wrappers by Dipping Them in the Hot Water.
5. Place a few Slices of Chicken Near the end of the Wrapper, then add Cucumber.
6. Add a little of the Other Ingredients.
7. Begin to roll by folding the bottom portion of rice paper over the ingredients.
8. Continue by lifting the right side of the wrapper and folding it over the ingredients.
9. To complete the roll, fold top side down, OR roll the spring roll forward until all the end of the rice paper. Try to keep your folding/rolling as tight as possible. The ingredients should appear at one end to create an "open" type of fresh roll. To secure the roll, simply dip your fingers in a little water and wet the end flap, then press to seal.
10. Place upright in a bowl (like a bouquet), or on a platter.
11. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce, and/or other dipping sauces such as hoisin sauce and Thai Sweet Chili Sauce . Serve with a cold lager, or a glass of chilled white wine. ENJOY!