Summer Rolls With Black Bean Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipes

VEGETARIAN SUMMER ROLLS WITH 3 DIPPING SAUCES

Steps:

• For each sauce, set aside the garnish and mix together all the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Add the garnish right before serving. Makes 3/4 cup peanut sauce; makes 3/4 cup hoisin sauce; makes 1 cup of Vietnamese dipping sauce (nuoc cham).
• Cut the block of tofu into 1/2 inch strips. Add a teaspoon of oil to a pan over medium high heat and fry the tofu strips until they are golden brown on both sides. About 4 - 5 minutes. Set this aside.
• Add about a third inch of water to a large shallow dish to dip the rice paper wrappers in. Dip one sheet of rice paper wrapper in the water for two seconds and place it on a flat surface. (see Note 2)
• Starting with the side closest to you, add the mix greens/lettuce and shredded red cabbage on top of the rice paper wrapper, leaving an inch of wrapper on the edge to grab ahold of later. This will provide a barrier between the vegetable filling and the delicate rice paper wrappers.
• Next place the peppers, carrots, tofu, and avocado on top of the mixed greens. Finally add the vermicelli rice noodles and fresh herbs on top of everything. You should have a stack of the filling piled on top of each other.
• (Optional) For presentation: if you prefer to see the colorful vegetables through the wrapper, lay them flat on the rice paper wrapper in the center. As you're rolling it up, you should be able see the vegetables through the rice paper.
• Starting from the end closest to you, pick up the inch of wrapper left uncovered and roll it up a quarter of the way.
• Continue rolling until all the filling is rolled into the rice paper wrapper.
• Fold the left and right side of the wrapper towards the center and continue to roll it all the way up.
• Place the summer roll on a plate and let it sit for 1 minute or until the wrapper is no longer tacky. The surface should still feel soft and pliable but it should not feel sticky since the excess water should be absorbed by now.
• Cut each summer roll crosswise into about 2 inch pieces and arrange them on a plate. Serve with the peanut, hoisin, and Vietnamese dipping sauces.

SUMMER ROLLS WITH SWEET CHILI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the cellophane noodles, vegetables, cilantro and peanuts in a large bowl; toss with sesame oil and lime juice to give the filling some flavor; season with salt and pepper.
• Pour 3 cups of hot, not boiling water in a large shallow bowl. One at a time, immerse the rice paper wrappers in the hot water for 10 seconds to soften, then place on a slightly damp towel. The rice paper is very delicate, don't soak them any longer or they will break apart. Keep them covered while you work to prevent them from drying out and curling.
• To form the rolls, lay a rice paper wrapper on a flat surface. Grab a small amount of the cellophane and vegetable mixture and lay it across the bottom third. Use less filling than you think you should, if you overstuff the wrapper it will tear. Carefully fold the bottom of the wrapper up to cover the filling. Fold in the left and right sides, then tuck and roll it over once. Lay 2 mint leaves on top, then tuck and roll it over to close the whole thing up like a tight cigar. The mint leaves should show through the transparent rice paper. Arrange the finished rolls on a platter and cover with a damp towel.
• Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:
• In a blender, puree the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, hot water, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste until combined. Pour into a small bowl and serve with the summer rolls.
• Yield: 1 cup