Divas on a Dime: Vietnamese Salad Rolls

By Patti Diamond

Cool, Crisp and Delicious: Making Vietnamese Salad Rolls at Home

Vietnamese salad rolls, also known as goi cuon, are a refreshing and versatile dish that combines vibrant flavors, colors and textures. Wrapped in delicate rice paper, they typically include fresh vegetables, herbs, vermicelli noodles and protein like shrimp or tofu. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, but they're a healthy and delicious no-cook meal, perfect for hot weather.

Salad rolls filled with crisp veggies and shrimp, perfect for summer meals. PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com

Making Vietnamese salad rolls at home is not only easy, but also budget friendly. By purchasing simple ingredients like rice paper, fresh vegetables and noodles, you can enjoy these delicious rolls for a fraction of the cost that you'd pay at a restaurant. Plus, homemade rolls allow you to customize ingredients to your personal taste.

Basic Vietnamese Salad Rolls

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

Total Time: 20 minutes

For the Salad Rolls:

• 8-10 rice paper wrappers

• 1 cup vermicelli noodles (cooked according to package instructions)

• 2 cups lettuce, chopped or shredded (romaine or butter lettuce works well)

• 1 cup carrots, julienned or grated

• 1 cup cucumber, julienned

• Fresh herbs (like mint, cilantro or Thai basil)

Protein and specialty ingredient, see ideas below

Cook the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water, drain and set aside. Prepare the vegetables and herbs. Choose and prepare your protein and specialty ingredients.

To assemble:

Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for about 10 seconds until it's soft but still slightly firm (it will continue to soften while rolling). Lay the softened rice paper on a clean, flat surface. These are sticky; you may wish to use parchment paper as your preparation surface. Word of advice: Rolling these takes a little practice. Don't expect your first try to come out perfect. Remember, even the ugly ones are still delicious!

In the lower third of the wrapper, place a small handful of vermicelli noodles, followed by a few pieces of lettuce, carrots, cucumber and herbs. Add protein and other ingredients.

Roll the salad roll:

Start by folding the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling. Then fold in the sides tightly, followed by rolling it away from you to enclose the filling completely. The rolls should be snug but not too tight. Continue this process with the remaining wrappers and filling ingredients.

Protein and Specialty Ingredient Variations

Here are some delicious combinations to customize your salad rolls:

• Shrimp & Avocado: Cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined), sliced avocado, lime juice for extra flavor.

• Tofu & Mango: Firm tofu (pressed and sliced), ripe mango slices, fresh cilantro.

• Chicken & Peanut Sauce: Grilled chicken breast (sliced), shredded cabbage, drizzle with peanut sauce before rolling.

• Pork & Pickled Veggies: Cooked pork (thinly sliced), quick-pickled carrots and daikon radish, fresh mint.

• Vegetarian Delight: Grilled eggplant and/or zucchini, sliced bell peppers, fresh basil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Don't forget the dipping sauces! Here are a couple of quick options: Peanut Sauce: Mix peanut butter with soy sauce, lime juice and a bit of water to reach desired consistency. Hoisin Sauce: Simple and classic, just serve straight or mix with a little sriracha for heat.

Remember, you can prep the fillings in advance and assemble the rolls just before serving to keep everything fresh. To serve, keep the rolls covered with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.

So why not roll up your sleeves and give these vibrant Vietnamese salad rolls a try? They're a delicious way to beat the heat, nourish your body and satisfy your taste buds.

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Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.