Thai Fried Spring Rolls

October 1, 2012

Inspired by Vietnamese cuisine and their huge variety of spring rolls, Thai spring rolls brings a Thai taste to this appetizer. These rolls have a zesty-corrianderish flavor. For the first time in my life, my palate experienced how great coriander stalks can taste. Yes, the same stalks we conveniently throw away at our home for Pakistani dishes!

Another unique element in taste is the wrap which is made of rice paper.Rice sheets are available in super markets. Had a hard time finding them in Islamabad.

Thai spring rolls

In Thai this dish is known as Bo Bia Tort. I made them this ramadan on friends Aftari. It was awarded the best dish on the menu.

You will need following things

250g Minced Chicken (you can chop away the boneless pieces in a chopper)
1tbsp lemon rind
2 coriander bunches
1 tbsp Ginger (finely diced)
200-300 g beans sprout (Available in cans)
1/2 carrot (thinly sliced)
1 Red Capsicum -thinly sliced (optional)
1 tsp salt – i like to substitute it with Fish Sauce
1 tbsp Corn Flour (mixed in 2-3 tbsp water)
10-12 sheets of Rice Paper
2 tbsp butter

This is what you will need to do

Separate the coriander leaves from stalks. Chop both the stalks and the leaves separately.

In a pan, melt butter and add chicken, ginger, lemon rind and coriander stalks. Cook till chicken is thoroughly cooked

Now put all the vegetables and fish sauce(or sauce) and fry till carrots become a little soft.

Add cornflour to the mixture above and cook till it thickens

Take a wide mouth bowl and put warm water in it. Take rice sheet and dip it in the water till it softens. Don’t dip for too long or the sheet will tear apart. (Its ok to loose a sheet or two when you are starting off)

Now put the softened sheet on a plate. Put one tablespoon of mixture in the middle leaving space on top and bottom. Put corriander leaves on top of the mixture.

Now roll the top or bottom part of sheet onto the mixture first then start. Roll it till the middle. Fold inside the left and right part of sheet and roll it to the top. Following is image of what you will get. You can try the taste out now, as its famously eaten!

Thai spring rolls

Put oil in a wok for medium deep frying and heat it. Once medium hot, place 1-2 rolls at a time, depending on size of the wok. Make sure rolls don’t stick together. Take them out once they are golden brown.

Cut them into halves and plate them up with Sweet Chilli Sauce.