John Myers
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Vietnamese summer rolls are a healthy and fresh dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. For the summery dish, only a few steps have to be followed.
Summer Rolls: Origin and Preparation
Summer rolls are a popular appetizer originally from Vietnam. In German, they are also known as summer rolls. Literally translated from Vietnamese, however, they are called lettuce rolls.
- This term already describes the dish quite well: For example, vegetables, tofu, or animal ingredients are wrapped tightly in moistened sheets of rice paper. With a suitable dip, they are immediately ready to eat.
- They are reminiscent of the well-known spring rolls. The difference, however, is that the summer rolls are not fried, are usually larger, and have more varied fillings.
- The preparation is very simple: the firm rice paper sheets made from rice flour, water, salt, and tapioca starch have to be soaked briefly before they can be used.
- To do this, hold the plate in warm water for a few seconds and wet it completely. Then place on a plate and wait a moment for the water to soak up and the rice paper to soften. Now it can be filled as desired. Due to the soft and sticky consistency, the summer rolls can be rolled up tightly and then “glued” shut.
Recipe ideas: This is how summer rolls can be filled
Theoretically, summer rolls can be filled with whatever ingredients you like. However, there are some classics that go great with Vietnamese rice sheets.
- Vegetables: Crunchy vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, sprouts, or spring onions are suitable for a healthy and fresh filling of the summer rolls. It is best to cut them as small as possible – for example into narrow, long strips.
- Lettuce: A long lettuce leaf (e.g. iceberg lettuce) placed in rice paper can help beginners, in particular, to correctly assess the filling and to roll up the rolls well. The lettuce leaf acts as a base on which other ingredients are filled.
- Meat: The summer rolls are served with pork in a classic Vietnamese way. But other varieties can also be used.
- Fish: Another traditional ingredient is shrimp.
- Tofu: Summer rolls are often prepared vegetarian or vegan. Tofu is a popular source of protein here and also tastes good with the usual dips and sauces. Choose smoked tofu for a special taste.
- Glass noodles: Glass noodles are a must for classic Vietnamese summer rolls. Alternatively, rice noodles are also good.
- Herbs: Suitable herbs are coriander, mint, or Thai basil.
- Matching dips: Dips are served with summer rolls. These include fish sauce, peanut dip, soy-lime dip, or Nuoc Leo.
- Sweet variant: For a sweet variant or also suitable as a dessert, the rice paper sheets can be filled with fruit. Fillings with mango or papaya are popular, for example.
