Veggie Rice Paper Wraps

These are highly addictive.  It’s the peanut sauce’s fault, really.  That, combined with crunchy veggies, vinegar tossed vermicelli noodles and fresh basil, mint and cilantro is extremely good news for your taste buds.  Some sort of marinated and grilled meat (like char siu) can only improve the situation, so don’t be afraid to add some if you aren’t of the vegetarian persuasion.  You can (and I have) eat a ton of these in one sitting, and still walk away from the dinner table feeling satisfied but not over-stuffed.  I love that quality in a recipe!

So in the spirit of the new year, and in the interest of trying to make up for  a little bit of the holiday gorging that went on the last few weeks,  this recipe is both delicious and healthy.  I’ve fed them to my large family a few times and they always disappear.  Serve them with Pho Bo  for an impressive feast!

The list of ingredients is flexible, and they’re a great way to use up extra veggies, too.  MMMMMmmmmmmMMMMMM!

Rice Paper Wrap Prep

Dip one of the wraps in some hot water until it becomes soft enough to wrap and eat. Then pile on your toppings of choice!

If you do serve these to a big group, get a few pie plates and scatter them around the table.  Add a few centimeters of water to each.  Boil the kettle and bring it to the table with you so you can add hot water to the pie plates whenever they start cool off.  This will make soaking the wraps much easier.  And it’s kinda fun too!  Doesn’t take much, I know.

Loaded Veggie Rice Paper Wrap with Char Siu Pork

One time I made these and added BBQ’d steak.  This was a good decision.

And yes, I like to put my peanut dipping sauce straight onto the wrap.  That way no bite is without peanut sauce!

Another Loaded Rice Paper Wrap

Wrap it up and take a bite.

Rice Paper Wrap exposed

If at all possible, have it along side some pho and red wine 🙂

Vietnamese Dinner Party Feast

These are a guaranteed hit for potlucks too!  After you assemble them, just line a tupperware with a damp tea towel to keep the rice paper moist while you transport them.  Then just slice them in half to serve, and watch them disappear!

Pot Luck Rice Paper Wraps

Rice Paper Wrap Recipe

Specific amounts of the following ingredients aren’t really necessary since nothing is actually cooked together.  Just use whatever you need for the amount of people eating.

Rice paper wraps
Vermicelli rice noodles
Red pepper, thinly sliced
Carrots, thinly sliced
Cucumber, thinly sliced
Bean sprouts
Romaine Lettuce, ripped into roll sized pieces
Fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, mint)
Peanut Dipping Sauce
Rice Vinegar
Granulated sugar
Marinated and grilled steak or pork tenderloin (optional)

1. Cook vermicelli noodles according to package directions, then toss with rice vinegar and sugar, to taste.
2. Add hot water to pie plate or deep, round dish, and soak rice paper wraps for a few minutes until pliable.
3. Top with vermicelli noodles and other toppings of choice, then wrap and roll it all together.