Fresh Spring Rolls: Fried Tofu & Shrimp-Pork Version

by Cindy Her

Happy Summer!

Fresh Summer Rolls or better known as fresh spring rolls are here! I’ll be showing you all my take on it and what I like to add into my spring rolls. We will make two versions today: One with fried tofu and the other one is the classic shrimp and pork one. And yes! We will be eating these with the classic hoisin-peanut dipping sauce. Once of my favorite dipping sauce to go with spring rolls. I’ll be using the fresh tofu I made from the previous recipe/video I put out since it’s the perfect texture and size to be put in the spring rolls. The amazing thing about fresh spring rolls is you have the freedom to put whatever herbs, vegetables, and protein you like. Yes, you can also cook the protein however you like. You can pan sear them instead of boiling them etc etc. So have fun and happy cooking! Hoping you all stay cool and healthy wherever you are 🙂

MAIN INGREDIENTS:

Rice paper: There are several sizes and shape. I like to use the larger size for easier rolling and prettier rolls.

Left: Bigger size (most preferred) Right: Smaller size (nice individual bite size for parties)

Proteins:

Fried extra firm tofu with teriyaki sauce
Boiled shrimp and pork tenderloin
FRESH HERBS & VEGETABLES
Vermicelli noodles

I like to use the small size noodles
ROLLING
HOISIN-PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE

Special shoutout to Spoons and Beyond for reaching out and providing me with the amazing cutting board and cooking spoons. They make all their high quality products by hand. Their products are hand-sanded and handcrafted, finished with food safe mineral oil. They make them to last since there is nothing more annoying than having your cooking utensils break in the middle of cooking or have them be replaced often. Check out their instagram and Etsy shop here:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/spoonsandbeyond/

ETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpoonsAndBeyond

YUM!

ENJOY!

-CHawjCreations

Fresh Spring Rolls: Fried Tofu & Pork-Shrimp Version

Serves: 8-10 Prep Time: Cooking Time:
Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

  • ---HOISIN-PEANUT SAUCE---
  • 1 cup hoisin (310g)
  • 1 cup water (250ml)
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (110g)
  • 2 tsp sugar (12g)
  • 1 tbsp distilled vinegar (18g)
  • 1 tbsp shallot chopped (10g)
  • 2 tsp sambal oelek (12g) [more or less]
  • Crushed roasted peanuts to garnish (up to 2-3 Tbsp)
  • ---TOFU---
  • Extra firm tofu (pat dried)
  • 3 Tbsp to 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (I used Yoshida's)
  • Oil to fry
  • ---BOILED PORK---
  • 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin (or meat of choice)
  • 2 liters of water
  • 2 tsp mushroom seasoning (Po Lo Ku brand)
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 2 garlic cloves (smashed)
  • 1 lemongrass (smashed)
  • ---SHRIMP---
  • 20-25 shrimps (w/ shell and head on)
  • ---HERBS/VEGETABLES---
  • Thai Basil
  • Mint
  • Lá Tía Tô or Vietnamese Perilla leaf
  • Cilantro
  • Chives
  • Shredded carrots
  • Beansprouts
  • Lettuce leaf
  • ---OTHERS---
  • Rice wrappers (Large size)
  • 16oz bag dried vermicelli noodles (small size noodles)
  • Warm water to soak the rice paper

Instructions

HOISIN-PEANUT SAUCE

  1. In a pot, add in the hoisin sauce, water, and chopped shallot. Let it come to a simmer and simmer for 2 minutes just to wilt down the shallots. Then turn off heat and add in the creamy peanut butter. Whisk to break apart the peanut butter and incorporate it in well. Then add in the sugar, vinegar, and sambal oelek. Taste and adjust. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to use. It will get thicker while it cools. When serving, garnish with roasted peanuts crushed. The sauce can be stored in the fridge for 1 week.

PROTEINS

  1. PORK: In a pot, add in the water and let it come to a boil. Then add in the pork, salt, mushroom seasoning, smashed garlic and lemongrass. Let it come to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the pork in fully cook (time may differ depending on the part of pork you use and how thick it is). The internal temperature I like to cook it to is 155'F. Once cooked, take it out and place it on a plate. Cover it and let it cool before cutting. You can stick it in the fridge to cool so it's easier to cut later. Once cool, cut to the thickness you like to prep for rolling. I like mine semi thin.
  2. SHRIMP: Wash the shrimps well before use. In the same broth you cooked the pork, add in the whole shrimp. Cook for about 3-5 minutes. Then take out the shrimp and shock it in ice water. Once cooled, peel, devein, and cut the shrimps in half. Set aside to be used later.
  3. FRIED TOFU: Pat dry the tofu. If you are using store bought tofu you may have to cut the tofu in half so it's not so thick. Pat it dry before frying. In a nonstick pan, add in some vegetable oil to shallow fry (1/2 - 1 cup) . Fry each side of the tofu until golden brown. Drain the oil and then place the fried tofu back on the pan. Turn on heat and add in about 3 tbsp to 1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce. Cook out the sauce to coat the tofu on both sides. It should be glossy and create a nice glaze. Take it out of the heat and set aside to cool before cutting into strips.

VERMICELLI NOODLES 

  1. Cook a 16oz dried vermicelli bag noodle. Follow direction on the back of the bag.  Make sure to stir as it cooks. Rinse with cold water after it's cooked and let it drain well. Set aside.

VEGETABLES

  1. Wash all the vegetables and cut/pick the herbs so it's easier to work with. Set aside.

LET'S WRAP

  1. In a wide pot or bowl that will fit the rice paper, add in warm tap water. Take one rice wrapper and soak it in for about 10-15 secs. It shouldn't be super soft while soaking. It should still have structure but fully coated in water.
  2. Place the soaked rice paper on a flat surface (cutting board, big plate etc). Then add in the vegetables, meat, and noodles.

Here is the ORDER:

FRIED TOFU VERSION

  1. Lettuce leaf, herbs, carrots, beansprouts, and vermicelli noodles (make sure not to use too much).
  2. Fold the ends. Then add in the slice fried tofu above the other ingredients. Then roll from bottom up. Tuck and roll as you go to get a nice beautiful roll. Continue until tofu is used up.

SHRIMP-PORK VERSION

  1. Lettuce leaf, herbs, carrots, beansprouts, and vermicelli noodles (make sure not to use too much).
  2. Fold the ends. Then add the garlic chives with about 1inch stick out, in 2-3 slices of pork, 3 shrimps orange side down (angle the same). Then roll from bottom up. Tuck and roll as you go to get a nice beautiful roll. Continue until all items are used up.

Serve with hoisin dipping sauce & enjoy!

Notes

Add other proteins and vegetables to your liking. Fresh spring rolls are best the day they are made. They can be stored in the fridge, but they will crack and the rice paper will get hard. You can try wrapping it in a damp paper towel but it may stick and still crack. Best of luck 🙂

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2 comments

Susan December 9, 2023 - 3:24 am

Delicious! Very authentic.

Reply
Susan Kirkbright January 3, 2024 - 6:02 pm

Delicious! Thank you for introducing me to mushroom seasoning. I put it in everything now and it steps up all my cooking! ❤️

Reply

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