1 (7 oz.) package dried rice noodles (Chinese vermicelli)
8 rice paper wrapperslettuce leaves (the softer, the better)bean sproutsfresh cilantro, stems removedcooked shrimp, sliced in half lengthwise
Optional: sliced cooked pork, julienned cucumber or carrots, shitake mushrooms, or other fresh herbs such asbasil, mint, or vietnamese coriander
1 cup hoisin sauce (if sauce is super-thick, add a few tbsp of warm water to dilute)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar1/2 tsp. garlic powder2 tbsp. crushed peanuts
Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain. Fill a large bowl (or I used a pie pan) with warm water, and then gently dip one rice paper wrapper in the water for 3-5 seconds to soften. (Be careful not to over-soak the wrappers!) Remove, and lay on a flat surface.
In a horizontal row across the center of the wrapper, first place your lettuce (this gives strength to the bottom so that the other ingredients don’t poke through), leaving at least 2″ space on the right/left sides. Then layer your rice noodles, a few beansprouts (I generally used 5-8), 3-4 shrimp halves, and cilantro on top of the lettuce.
Fold the top side of the wrapper tightly over the mixture, and then fold over the right and left sides and then finally roll the pack over the remaining bottom side. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Finally, whisk together hoisin, peanut butter, rice wine vinegar and garlic powder in a small bowl until the sauce is well-mixed and smooth. Top with crushed peanuts.
ENJOY! #asian #food #springroll #freshroll
