Recipe idea: Lucky Rolls

You need a little luck? On the occasion of Friday the 13th we present you a recipe for lucky rolls. We hope it helps…

These delicacies are also called summer rolls or Vietnamese spring rolls. The term lucky rolls could be traced back to the fact that in Vietnamese cuisine they symbolize the harmonious connection of heaven, earth and human being in their form and filling.

Wishing you good luck!

Vietnamese summer rolls with peanut sauce

Ingredients (For 4 servings):
For the sauce:
1 tbsp sesame oil
165 g | 1 1/4 cups unsalted peanuts, soaked in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes, drained
3 tbsp coconut milk, plus extra as needed
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 lime, juiced
1 pinch sugar

For the rolls:
175 g | 1 cup white short-grain rice, rinsed in several changes water, then drained
24 fresh prawns, peeled and deveined
12 rice paper wrappers, 15 cm | 6″, kept under a damp cloth
1 bunch mint, leaves picked, plus extra to serve
2 Romaine lettuce, leaves separated and torn into pieces
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin batons
1/2 small red cabbage, shredded
1 small cucumber, halved and cut into thin strips or matchsticks

Method:
1 For the sauce: Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a food processor or blender.

2 Purée until smooth; thin out with more coconut milk as needed to achieve the right dipping consistency.

3 Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill until needed.

4 For the rolls: Combine the rice with 500 ml water in a heavy-based saucepan. Bring to the boil over a high heat, add a generous pinch of salt, and then cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook over a low heat until the rice has absorbed the water and is tender to the bite, about 20 minutes.

5 Remove from the heat and let cool, still covered, for at least 10 minutes.

6 In the meantime, steam the prawns in a covered steaming basket sat over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water until pink and tender, 3-4 minutes. Remove the prawns from the basket to a bowl of iced water. Drain and pat dry with kitchen paper.

7 Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Rinse under cold running water until no longer warm to the touch. Drain through a colander lined with kitchen paper.

8 Working one by one, briefly dip a sheet of the rice paper a third of the way into a bowl of hot water. Turn and dip the remaining section before placing on kitchen paper to drain.

9 Line the bottom third of the papers with a row of three steamed prawns and some mint leaves.

10 Top with lettuce leaves before arranging the rice, carrot, red cabbage, and cucumber on top.

11 Fold the bottom third over to cover before folding in the sides and rolling tightly. Continue with the remaining ingredients to complete the remaining rolls.

12 When ready, serve with the prepared peanut sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips:
You can use precooked white rice instead for a quicker preparation.

Cover: StockFood / Emily Clifton / #12436346