Vietnamese Shrimp Rolls with Cashew Dipping Sauce

Deliciously fresh and healthy, and served with a tangy cashew dipping sauce, or Hoisin sauce if you prefer, these Vietnamese shrimp rolls make a lovely appetiser.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 12 rolls

Ingredients

• 6  dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 1  cup  rice vermicelli
• 1⁄4 cup  finely sliced green onion
• 1  teaspoon  rice wine vinegar
•  salt
•  pepper
• 8  ounces baby shrimp, cooked and diced
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded carrot
• 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup alfalfa sprout
• 1⁄2 cup  finely shredded lettuce
• 12  round rice paper sheets

• Red Curry Mayonnaise

• 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise (optional)
• 2  teaspoons Thai red curry paste (optional)
• 1  teaspoon lime juice (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon water (optional)

• Cashew Dipping Sauce

• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 1  cup cashews, unsalted
• 1  tablespoon creamy peanut butter
• 1  tablespoon  rice wine vinegar
• 1  tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2  tablespoons ginger, fresh,minced
• 3  tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 -3  teaspoon red pepper flakes, according to taste
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Prepare all ingredients before assembling rolls.
2. If using, combine the mayonnaise, Thai red curry paste, lime juice and water, mix well until thoroughly blended and refrigerate until needed.
3. Cook the rice vermicelli according to the packet directions until al dente, rinse in cold water, drain well, and chop into 2” to 3” lengths.
4. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes until reconstituted, then drain, reserving ¾ cup soaking liquid.
5. Remove and dispense of stalks, and thinly slice caps.
6. Cook shiitake in reserved liquid until mushrooms are tender and liquid evaporates.
7. Season mushrooms with soy sauce and sugar, set aside and let cool.
8. Add the rice wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste, to the green onions, mix well and set aside.
9. Place all ingredients, including the shrimp, shredded carrot, cilantro, mint, alfalfa sprouts and lettuce in separate piles on your work surface.
10. Fill a shallow casserole dish with warm water.
11. Immerse rice wrappers, four at a time, into the water until pliable (about 45 seconds).
12. Arrange wrappers on paper towelling to drain, but keep moist by placing a damp paper towel over each wrapper.
13. Working one wrapper at a time, thinly spread some of the mayonnaise/red curry mixture (if using) with a knife over the lower 1/3rd of the rice wrapper.
14. Top with thin layers of noodles, shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, carrot, cilantro, mint, alfalfa and lettuce.
15. Roll the rice wrapper over once, tightly, from bottom, then fold in the two sides to completely enclose the filling.
16. Continue folding the wrapper over until completely rolled.
17. Place finished roll seam-side down on a serving plate, and cover with a damp paper towel to prevent spring rolls from becoming dry before serving.
18. Slice each roll diagonally in half, to serve.
19. Serve with a cashew dipping sauce or a diluted mixture of hoisin sauce and water.
20. Cashew Dipping Sauce: Toast the cashew nuts on a cookie sheet in a 400-degree F oven until golden, then chop finely.
21. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring.
22. Remove from heat, add remaining ingredients and mix well.
23. Add as much or as little dried red pepper flakes, according to your preference.
24. Correct consistency with a little extra water if necessary.