Vietnamese Summer Rolls - (gỏi cuốn)

Makes 8 rolls – Serves 6-8 as appetizer 

Ingredients:

8 – 8½ inch Rice Paper Wrappers (I suggest getting a few extras for breakage)

1  Seedless Cucumber – Julienne cut

1  Avocado – peeled and sectioned into 16 thin wedges

8 oz carrot – Extra fine julienne cut

3 heads bib lettuce

16 large fresh Thai basil leaves – cut in half lengthwise

1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves (can use cilantro if preferred)

2 oz cellophane noodles (can use thin spaghetti if preferred)

4 Scallions – thin sliced and cut into 4-inch sections

Sriracha  hot chili sauce

Directions:

Soak cellophane noodles in hot lightly salted water until tender (about 20-30 mins).  Drain and cut noodles into 3-inch sections using a knife or kitchen shears and set aside.

Set aside enough bib lettuce leaves to cover your serving tray.

Lay a large damp kitchen towel down on your work surface and then place your ingredients, in separate bowls, within reach.

Fill a large mixing bowl with warm water and place it on the back of your towel.

Dip one wrapper into the bowl of water for 20 to 30 seconds and then lay it flat on your towel.

Leaving 1-inch open on each end of the rice paper, layer the following ingredients evenly down the middle of the wrapper; 3 tbsp cellophane noodles, a few scallions, some cucumber, some carrots, some mints leaves, some lettuce and 2 pieces of avocado.

Fold the two ends in and roll the bottom around the ingredients.  Before closing the top and finishing the roll, place two basil leaves inside the seam and run one squirt of Sriracha inside the length of the wrapper.  Complete by rolling towards the top.

If serving immediately, place the rolls onto a cutting board and cut in half with an angled slice.  Cover your serving tray with the extra bib lettuce leaves and place the cut rolls onto the tray.  Serve with Mae Ploy (Sweet Chili Sauce) and/or Peanut Dipping Sauce.

If serving later, do not cut rolls until served and store refrigerated in a container large enough that rolls do not touch and place a damp paper towel under them to keep them from drying out.