Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Cha Gio)

These tiny spring rolls are deep fried until crisp and brown or, if you prefer, cook them by steaming for 10 minutes. Either method produces delightful hors d’oeuvres.

• Ready In: 33 mins
• Yields: 144 pieces about

Ingredients

• FILLING

• 6  dried Chinese mushrooms
• 1⁄2 cup cellophane noodle
• 1  lb  ground lean pork
• 2  garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2  small carrots, finely grated
• 2  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

• DIPPING SAUCE

• 1⁄2 cup fish sauce (nuoc mam)
• 3  tablespoons lemon juice
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2  teaspoons  fresh gingerroot, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 3  tablespoons water

• WRAPPERS

• 36  rice paper (1 package)

• FOR FRYING

• 2  cups  peanut oil or 2  cups  corn oil

Directions

1. Soak mushrooms and cellophane noodles (in a separate bowl) in warm water for 30 minutes.
2. MAKE DIPPING SAUCE: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, add 3 Tablespoons water and refrigerate. If you like it hot add 4-5 paper-thin rings of fresh habanero or scotch bonnet chili to the sauce.
3. MAKE THE FILLING: Drain mushrooms and noodles thoroughly. Chop mushrooms finely and cut noodles into 1 inch lengths. In a bowl combine with the pork, garlic, onion, carrot, eggs, salt and pepper.
4. Brush rice paper rounds generously with water to soften. Cut in quarters with scissors. Place 1 teaspoon filling on curved end of each quarter. Fold curved edge over fill, fold in sides and continue rolling, sealing the finished roll with more water, if necessary. Repeat until all the filling has been used.
5. Heat oil in wok or large fry pan to 375°F Fry rolls a few at a time until crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towel and serve with sauce for dipping.
6. The cooked rolls may be frozen. Re-heat frozen rolls in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes before serving.
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