Softening tip to follow when preparing Vietnamese summer rolls

Vietnamese summer rolls (sometimes known as spring rolls) are a delicious and fun way to add some fresh vegetables to your plate. Wrapping packages wrapped in rice paper can be a little tricky if they get too wet, but we have a tip that will have you rolling with less frustration. Many recipes include directions for dipping rice paper sheets in warm or even hot water to help them rehydrate. Paper can soften very quickly with warm water, leaving you with a sticky mess. We suggest you use cold water for dipping instead for a better result.

Rice paper wrappers are made from finely milled white rice mixed with enough water to make a dough, then rolled out thinly, steamed, and then dried. It stands to reason that soaking it in warm water will dissolve the rice starch if you’re not too quick. To give yourself enough time to arrange the filling ingredients and fold the wrap into a tight roll, use a re-wetting solution with cold water. The coating will absorb water more slowly and you will have the right texture to work with.

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Perfect roll wrap

However, using hot water is a great idea to cook the rice vermicelli that is a popular ingredient in summer rolls, because you want those noodles to be fully cooked. We suggest that you always follow package directions, and eat a small bite of pasta before using it. Other cooked ingredients will be your choice of protein – perhaps boiled shrimp, grilled pork or tofu. Other traditional fillings include leaf lettuce, herbs, shredded carrots, and cucumber, but you can also use sliced ​​mango or peaches to add more color and flavor. Let your taste buds be your guide.

To wrap a summer roll, quickly dip a piece of rice paper into a bowl of cold water and lay it flat on your clean work surface. We like to start with an edge-to-edge layer of lettuce in the bottom third of the circle to help hold the insides together. Add the cooked rice noodles, vegetables and herbs on top, then place the protein or colorful fruit on the rice paper directly on top of the lettuce. As you arrange the ingredients, the wet rice paper will continue to soften and should be foldable when finished. Starting on the side closest to you, fold the edge of the rice paper over the lettuce and roll forward into a tight cylinder. Dip them in your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy a frustration-free summer wrap!

Read the original article on Tasting Table.