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Crispy Fried Spring Rolls

Golden, shatteringly crisp Vietnamese spring rolls filled with seasoned pork, glass noodles, and vegetables, fried to perfection and served with sweet chili dipping sauce.

75 minMediumServes 6420 cal/serving

VietnameseAppetizerStovetopStandardAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 2 oz glass noodles (bean thread noodles), soaked, drained
  • 2 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 large carrot, julienned
  • 1/3 cup dried wood ear mushrooms (or shiitake), soaked, drained
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 24 spring roll wrappers (6-7 inch, wheat-based), thawed if frozen
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3 cups neutral oil (vegetable or canola), for frying
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

Instructions

  1. 1

    Soak 2 oz glass noodles (bean thread noodles) in hot water for 10 minutes until softened. Drain and cut into 2-inch lengths with scissors. Soak 1/3 cup dried wood ear mushrooms (or shiitake) in hot water for 10 minutes, drain, and finely chop.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 2 oz glass noodles (bean thread noodles), 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage, 1 large julienned carrot, 1/3 cup dried wood ear mushrooms (or shiitake), and 4 thinly sliced green onions. Add 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tsp sesame oil. Mix thoroughly.

  3. 3

    Place one spring roll wrappers (6-7 inch, wheat-based) on a clean surface in a diamond orientation. Put 2 tablespoons of filling near the bottom corner. Fold up the bottom corner to cover the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly forward. Seal the top corner with 1 beaten large egg. Repeat with remaining filling and 24 spring roll wrappers (6-7 inch, wheat-based).

  4. 4

    In a wok or deep heavy pot, heat 3 cups neutral oil (vegetable or canola) to 325°F (165°C). Fry spring rolls in batches of 4-5, turning occasionally, for 5-6 minutes until light golden. Remove and drain on a wire rack.

  5. 5

    Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Return spring rolls in batches and fry for 1-2 minutes more until deeply golden and very crisp. Drain on a wire rack, not paper towels, to keep them crisp.

  6. 6

    Serve hot with 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce for dipping.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Crispy Fried Spring Rolls?

For Crispy Fried Spring Rolls, the frying oil is held at 325 F (about 165 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy. The frying oil is held at 375 F (about 190 C) in step 5. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

How do I know when Crispy Fried Spring Rolls is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until light golden. Step 5: cook until deeply golden and very crisp.

Can I skip the soak in Crispy Fried Spring Rolls?

Step 1 reads: "Soak 2 oz glass noodles (bean thread noodles) in hot water for 10 minutes until softened." Better not. The soak in step 1 hydrates the ingredient so it softens evenly in the time given; skipping it means a longer cook and a less even texture.

What can I use instead of oyster sauce in Crispy Fried Spring Rolls?

The entry for Crispy Fried Spring Rolls calls for 2 tbsp oyster sauce. In its place: Hoisin thinned with a little soy sauce is the nearest shelf substitute, and a mushroom stir-fry sauce is the vegetarian one. Both are sweeter, so hold back any sugar in the recipe.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground pork in Crispy Fried Spring Rolls?

Yes. Use dark-meat ground chicken or turkey if you can, and add a teaspoon of oil per half pound, since pork brings fat that poultry does not. As written, the entry for Crispy Fried Spring Rolls uses 1 lb ground pork.

Can I make Crispy Fried Spring Rolls gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Crispy Fried Spring Rolls is 2 tbsp oyster sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Crispy Fried Spring Rolls contain shellfish?

Yes: 2 tbsp oyster sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, eggs, shellfish, fish and sesame. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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