Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces

Wrapped food like the Vietnamese Spring Rolls is very popular among all cuisines. The perfect combination of the tangy, limey sauce with the fresh, crunchy rice paper rolls really cool down the summer heat!

Ok, lets get started. This's how I made it for a light snack at work the other day:

Ingredients:

6" diameter round spring roll wrappers (8-10)
medium uncooked shrimps (with shells - about 20)
thinly uncooked sliced pork (1/2 lb)
dried rice vermicelli (1/2 pack - makes about 1/4 lb)
chili flakes (1 tablespoon)
Iceberg lettuce (1/2 head, washed and drained)
fresh mint leaves (optional - a few bunches, washed, dried and remove stems)
fresh basil leaves (optional - a few bunches, washed, dried and remove stems)
cold water with ice (fill one big bowl, enough to emerge the shrimp)
warm water (fill one big round bowl)
Salt and pepper

Sauce:

fresh mint (a few leaves)
Vietnamese fish sauce (6 tablespoons) nam pla or nuoc nam
garlic (2-3 cloves)
water (10 teaspoons)
sugar (4 tablespoons)
Serrano chili paste (1 teaspoon)
1 medium lime (juiced)

Step 1: Prepare the shrimp. Boil shrimp in a medium pot with salt, pepper and some chili flakes.  Chill in a bowl of ice water. Drain, peel and halve shrimp with the sharp knife (careful not to cut yourself. Ok to leave the shrimp without halving. It keeps it from moving when it's flatter). Set in a small bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the meat. Saute pork slices on a frying pan with some vegetable oil. May add a pinch of salt while cooking. Set in another small bowl after it's cooked through. Let cool.

Step 3: Prepare the vermicelli. Boil a big pot of water. Put dried vermicelli into the water when it comes to boil. When noodle turns "al dente," drain noodles with a strainer. Run cold water over it, let cool, and set in a large bowl.

Step 4: Prepare the lettuce strips. Chop into thin strips and set in a large bowl.

 Step 5: Prepare the rice wrappers. You can only a few at a time. Emerge one dried rice wrapper at a time into the warm water for a few seconds, take it out and spread it out on another big round plate. Repeat. (tips: don't let it sit in the water for too long, it'll get too soft to handle and break very easily)

Step 6: Set the ingredient bowls around. Here comes the fun part - start wrapping!
Layer the ingredients and roll it into a beautiful spring roll!! See step-by-step guide below:

Step 7: Make the dipping sauce: Put all sauce ingredients into a food processor. Blend and pour into a dipping dish prior to serving.

Alternates: Peanut sauce and Hoisin sauce can be used also! Equally delicious!! It might be a bit complicated to make this, but sooooo tasty!!! Perfect appetizer for everyone!!! Enjoy!!!!