Vietnamese Summer Rolls + Steamy Kitchen Cooks Oishii Eats
Ok, I'm not REALLLLY cooking OishiiEats.com, but I made her Vietnamese Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon) with Cashew Nut Dipping Sauce this morning on television! They came out fantastic and the crew devoured them seconds after the camera shut off. In the video I show you how to roll 'em tight!
Wanna watch?
The video format is Windows Media Player. Click on image below, when you get to the site, click on the Featured Video link
BTW, she was referring to this 
HOT magazine photo shoot!
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Both Oishii Eats and I enjoy our shrimp grilled rather than boiled. Below is the Vietnamese Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon) recipe and the Oishii Eats Cashew Butter Dipping Sauce.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon)
Traditionally, the shrimp is boiled in Vietnamese Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon). However, I love the flavor of marinated and grilled Lemongrass shrimp in these Summer Rolls. You can find lemongrass in most supermarkets - peel off the outer leaves. Use a microplane zester to zest the bottom 4" of the lemongrass stalk. If you can't find lemongrass, substitute with fresh lemon zest, or just leave it out. You could also marinate the shrimp in a little bit of garlic/ginger/soy.
6 oz dried rice vermicelli
24 small sized shrimp, shelled
16-24 round rice papers (8" diameter)
1 head of butter or Boston Bibb lettuce, leaves separated
1 cup julienned or shredded carrots
½ cup julienned red bell peppers
½ mango, sliced into thin slivers
24 mint leaves
Shrimp marinade for the Vietnamese Summer Rolls
½ tsp fish sauce (substitute with soy sauce)
½ tsp freshly grated lemongrass
freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp sugar
Marinate shrimp in a small bowl for 10 minutes. In meantime, boil a pot of water. Add vermicelli and cook for 4 minutes. Drain immediately, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Try to remove as much water as possible. Set aside.
Grill the shrimp in a large skillet with 1 tbl cooking oil on high heat until cooked through, about 2 minutes. You could also skewer the shrimp and grill on your outdoor grill. When shrimp is cool enough to handle, bisect each shrimp down the middle of its back so that you have two identical halves of shrimp.
Grab a square or rectangular baking dish and fill it with about 1" of cool/room temperature water. Dip one rice paper round in the dish for a quick 2-seconds. Lift round and let the water drip off. Place on clean, dry work surface. Blot the top of the round with a paper towel. You'll work one roll at a time.
Now it's time to roll. The wrapper will still be a little stiff. By the time you finish piling on the ingredients, it will have softened enough to roll. Lay 4 halves of the shrimp in a line near the bottom 1/3 of the round. Top with some lettuce, vermicelli noodles, carrots, bell pepper, mango, and finishing with 2 mint leaves. Try to keep the ingredients compact and piled on top of the shrimp. Starting with the side closest to you, roll up the roll tight, stopping halfway to gently tug back on the roll to tighten. The wrapper is self-sealing. You can use a sharp knife to cut off the two ends to make it look neater.
Transfer to platter and cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Wipe counter or plate dry and repeat with remaining.
Some rice rounds are made thicker than others. If you find your wrapper is a little too stiff by the time you need to wrap, either blot less water off the rice round next time, let it sit for a few seconds before adding ingredients or dip in just slightly warmer water (but not hot!) Just remember to let the water drip off and wipe your working surface dry each time - a dry surface allows the rice paper to stick to the surface and create a little tension so that you can wrap.
Also, I've found it's best to work one roll at a time - since it only takes a few seconds for the rice round to soften, you really aren't saving a lot of time by dipping all your rice rounds at once. In fact, if 2 rounds touch each other - they will stick and you'll have a heck of a time getting them apart without tearing or wrinkling. If you must dip all at once, separate each wet round with a damp paper towel.
Serve with the Cashew Butter Dipping Sauce.
Cashew Butter Dipping Sauce
adapted from Oishii Eats
Most recipes for dipping sauce call for Peanut Butter, however a Cashew Butter or even Almond Butter is more fragrant, delicate and oh-so-delicious. I like my sauce a little thin, so that when I dip my roll in the sauce, it lightly coats the roll and I can still taste the fresh, vibrant vegetables inside.
1 tbl sugar
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbl chili garlic sauce
1/4 cup water
3 tbl cashew butter
In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. When it is hot, add the garlic and cook until lightly browned, about 30 seconds. Add hoisin, sugar, chili garlic sauce, and half of the water, stir well and simmer for 15 seconds. Add the other half of the water if you want a thinner consistency.
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Thank you Diane
Thank you Diane for my hand-knitted fingerless mittens, the hand-knitted dishcloth and treats for the guys!! You rock!
Yeah, that is a nasty bruise on Nathan's forehead. He was running around the playground at school, ran behind the swingset and BAM! got smacked by the swing. Ouch. Poor baby. But the chocolate lollipops made him feel so much better. Don't they look so nice, clean and neat right in the morning before I take them to school?
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Those Lights
The post about these lights are almost done. I'm writing a pretty in-depth review for you and will post this weekend.
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More great dishes for Chinese New Year
(Feb 7th, Year of the Rat)
Whole Grilled Fish on Banana Leaf - serving whole fish on Chinese New Year signifies abundance!
Chinese Style Steamed Fish
Chinese BBQ Pastries - super easy using store-bought puff pastry
January 31st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Awesome! Now, we need to see Jaden's Famous Summer PB&J. Plus, I can't tell you how great it is to see my friend the mango putting in an appearance. I love mango. I would marry a mango if it were legal.
Enjoy your day.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
It looks delicious! You did a great job! I'm so excited because I just got my Artisan Bread in 5 book! I'm so bummed though because my kids just broke my baking stone...so I must get a new one. Any recommendations???
January 31st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Great job, Jaden!!
I'm a sucker for anything with shrimp!
BTW- I got my box! Woo Hoo!!!!
I am sooo psyched... I have to go find something to dip at lunch today!
ThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYou!
TBG
January 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hey Susie- really, any brand! I wonder if Walmart had pizza stones. I have expensive ones and cheap ones - both work just fine.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I love these rolls. I don't like fish sauce so i will use soya sauce.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
These look great!!
January 31st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Yayy.. Now I have to make those rolls. May be for superbowl...hmmm..
You look hot in that picture btw;)
January 31st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Jaden you looked so cute on the video! I am going to make Oishii's recipe some time soon. I even have the julienne peeler! I am glad there was time for the demo!
Are you sure those darling boys knocked over your tripod...they look way to innocent to do that. It must have been the villain they were chasing, who did the dirty deed.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I loved watching that video, Jaden! You look spectacular. Thanks for the introduction to Oishii Eats too! This is actually something my husband loves, his nounou was Vietnamese and she used to make these for him when he was a kid. I bet he forgot he told me that. I think I'll give them a try sometime in the next week and surprise him.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Nice job on the TV spot Jaden! These look great. I learned how to make them in a Vietnamese cooking class a couple of years ago and haven't tried it myself yet. Now, I want to try them!
January 31st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
That's awesome--congrats on the TV bit. The food looks good, too.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Oh my gosh, your sons are so adoreable! I'm so glad they are enjoying their treats.
I'll watch that video later when I get home from work, I can't seem to get away with watching that stuff while at work, lol!
January 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Hey, elder son looks like you and does younger son look like his dad? ^_^
Totally adorable!
Have you seen the way some guys roll fresh spring rolls? Some end up with 'bags'.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Thanks! I think my problem is that I use like almost boiling water to do the wrapper & its pretty wet too. I will have to try making summer rolls again!
January 31st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Nicely done!
January 31st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Oh yum! I must try these...I keep meaning to have a "roll" party with friends
either that or sushi and porn
oh the hilarity!
January 31st, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Loved the video, Jaden. I'M MAKING THESE TONIGHT! Had lunch at P.F.Chang today and stopped at the asian market on the home, 'cause I was still craving . Picked up some spring roll wrappers and then watched your video. I'm frying them tho' since it's winter and cold where I am. I've always put my wrappers in warm water so thanks for the tip, I'll do it your way tonight.
Your sons are adorable!
January 31st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
That was so wonderful to watch...you're a natural :-)...love the tips :-)..and your li'l guys are real cuties.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
the rolls looked refreshing, love them! your guys are always such cuties!
January 31st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Ahhh... your boys are so cute! They don't seem like they could cause so much trouble. I grew up on summer rolls and it never occurred to me to use anything other than boiled shrimp and peanut butter. I'll definitely have to give it a try.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
It's always a treat to view one of your video—thanks! Those two young men are just getting so handsome!
January 31st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Yes. Please tell people they don't need to literally soak rice paper or else it'll turn into mush. Can you believe people argue with me about that point?
January 31st, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Great video! Congratulations! I had bookmarked that recipe on Oishii Eats to try. I really like the sound of the mango in yours.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I really enjoy summer rolls especially now that I am gluten-free. They are surprisingly easy to make, although my husband was better at making them pretty. haha Thanks for giving me a new twist.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:38 pm
you are really gorgeous! the kids are so saint-looking...lol! i love this recipe and the tips on what to serve on chinese new year! it's a big help since i am of chinese-spanish descent and we celebrate the chinese new year too. we usually give away "tikoy" or glutinous rice treats and receive them as well. i will definitely try the steamed fish and pastries.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:21 am
How fun to finally watch you live, beautiful and cooking! Thanks for spreading the love of these rolls! They are very, very dear to my heart. I eat them almost every day and my world would be very gloomy without them.
For our Lunar New Years Party this year , we are having our "very famous" seven course spring roll feast!! There's gonna be lots of wrappin' and rollin". If you're in Southern California, please stop by. You are always invited!
February 1st, 2008 at 5:15 am
You are gorgeous, Jaden! Excellent video and delicious looking recipe. Next time I'm in the states I'm going to look for one of those cool gadgets! Beautiful boys you have there, too.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:46 am
Excellent video! Where can I get cashew butter, or what can I substitute it with?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Good job with the show! Gotta watch those "uh"s and "um"s though...
I missed the tool that you used to julienne the carrots. Could you show us that tool again?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Jaden,
This recipe and video are great! I can't wait to make my own. What type of wine would you drink with these? Riesling or Gewurztraminer?
Kathleen
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 am
I would have been a lot happier after making this recipe, as opposed to the "dip the rice papers in a pot of boiling water for one minute" recipe I used before. I had many ouchies.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hey SK - Love the video! I'm glad you're not cooking Miss Oishii-eats, I'm sur her students would miss her! ;o)
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
These look so good! I keep a low carb diet and would want to replace the vermicelli with something. Do you (or any of your lovely readers)have any suggestions?
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Great Great shot!
By the way, you have been tagged for '08!
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Alejandra- Just use more vegetables and meat!! zucchini, green bell, arugula, tofu, napa cabbage, shredded chicken, shredded pork...
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 am
You look hot on that picture!
Now don't tell your husband i said that.
He doesn't read your blog anyway, right, right?
I love the cashew butter dipping sauce with the rolls, sounds great! I gotta try it.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Well done! Both the recipe AND the video. You look great!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi,
Just wanted to say that you have a very beautiful and inspiring blog.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:43 am
You look gorgeous!!! You're as hot as sichuan peppercorn salt on one side and hot chili sauce on the other! Thanks for your comments!
February 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Totally awesome and one of my very favorite foods.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
What a great video! Your kids are precious.
I must say that we eat summer rolls pretty much constantly in our house.
I prefer the bahn trang wrappers that come in the package with the rose on them. I think they are a bit sturdier and easier to roll.
One of our favorite things is to stuff them with the Cambodian Chicken Salad from the Elephant Walk cookbook.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hola from Panama! I LOVE your blog, recipes and the photos...oh, your boys are gorgeous! Keep up the good work =)
Melissa
February 13th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hi Jaden! Love the new look of your site - and it looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!
Your boys are cuter than ever!!
I can't wait to try the Cashew/Almond Butter Dipping sauce (I'm allergic to peanuts). Do you prefer one over the other (cashew/almond)? I'm just not sure which one to try first...