Summer Rolls

These Vietnamese Summer Rolls are fresh delicate rice paper wraps with crunchy veggies, shrimp, vermicelli noodles, and a rich peanut sauce for dipping.

I am typically kind to my friends who ask for a taste of my food at restaurants….but I do NOT share summer rolls (I’m sorry!). Fortunately, this recipe makes ten rolls which leaves plenty to share.

What is the difference between Summer Rolls and Spring Rolls?

Summer Rolls are of Vietnamese origin. They are wrapped in translucent rice paper filled with shrimp or pork, herbs, sprouts, rice noodles, carrots, cucumber, and served cold with peanut sauce. They are consequently sometimes called fresh spring rolls. Spring Rolls are of Chinese origin and made from a thin wrapper of water and flour. They are filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and cabbage. Unlike Summer Rolls, they are fried and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. Both dishes are extremely satisfying, it just depends on what you are in the mood for.

How to Make Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Summer Rolls

1. First, prepare the shrimp and the rice vermicelli. I suggest buying shrimp that are fresh, peeled, and deveined. This makes it easy because all you will have to do is boil them ahead of time and then let them cool. Once the shrimp are cool, slice them in half length-wise.
2. For the rice vermicelli follow the instructions on the package. Most instructions tell you to simply soak them in water for about ten minutes and then drain the noodles.
3. Next, ribbon the cucumber and julienne the carrot and bell peppers.
4. Fill a cake or pie pan with about 3/4 inch of water.
5. Place a rice wrapper and dip it into the water for about 10 seconds. Place it onto a flat surface. Gently dab some of the water up with a paper towel.
6. To assemble, set a mint leaf and two of the shrimp halves onto the right side. On the left side, place the cucumber ribbon. Next, place a few slices of the julienned bell pepper on top of the cucumber.
7. Place a few slices of the julienned carrot on top of the bell pepper. Top all ingredients with a small handful of alfalfa sprouts and the rice vermicelli.
8. To shape the rolls, fold the left side of the rice wrapper over the left half of the ingredients, tucking in the sprouts and the rice vermicelli. The shrimp and mint leaf should still be exposed. Then, fold the sides of the wrapper up and over sealing in the ingredients.
9. Finally, roll the wrap in a forward motion until the ingredients are completely sealed inside.

Peanut Sauce

1. Microwave the peanut butter to soften it for about ten seconds.
2. Whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. Pour the sauce into a decorative bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds to garnish.

Spotify Playlist

Since Summer Rolls are of Vietnamese origin, I wanted to create a playlist that would give the listener a taste of Vietnamese traditional music. Music is an inherent part of Vietnamese culture and history. If you would like to know more about Vietnamese traditional music click the link below.

Vietnamese Traditional Music

Pinterest Pin