Fast and healthy meals - Rice paper rolls

Running between kids afterschool activities can some days mean we only have 30 minutes at home in which to prepare, cook and eat dinner.  So quick, filling and healthy options are vital that don't require looking up a recipe book.  Vietnamese rice paper rolls are a great option.  Fill them with julienned carrot, cucumber, vermicelli,  cold chicken, peanuts and a good bottled satay sauce for a quick and easy meal that the kids will eat and can help make.


If you've got more time for home made dipping sauces and pickling try this recipe.  Makes 24 half rolls.

Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

2 carrots, julienned

1/3 cup of rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon of sugar

50g vermicelli noodles

Rice paper rounds

200g bbq pork or cooked chicken or duck

200g finely sliced cabbage

2 cucumbers, sliced into ribbons

1 bunch of mint leaves

1 bunch of coriander leaves

Sauce

1 tablespoon peanut oil

3cm piece of ginger finely sliced

1/2 cup of peanuts finely chopped

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/3 cup water

In a small bowl, combine carrot, vinegar and sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar and set aside.

Place noodles in bowl and pour over boiling water and cover for 10 minutes. Drain.

Sauce: gently sauté ginger, add over ingredients and remove from heat once starting to thicken.

Dip rice paper in warm water for up to 10 seconds, so soft but not too long or it will disintegrate.

Put filling in the middle, fold over top and bottom and roll up from one side.  Cut in half and serve with dipping sauce.

Source: NZ Woman's Day