Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Almond Dipping Sauce
Congratulations Shannon and Amy J in SC! I’ve emailed you both with instructions on claiming your prize.
During my friend’s visit last week, we decided one of the nights that we weren’t going to make dinner until after we put the kids to bed. We had eaten a big lunch out and thought we could wait. Eric was out of town, so it was a fun girl’s night in sort of evening. Knowing how much my friend loves Asian food, I told her that we should pick a recipe out of The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, a brand new cookbook written by Jaden Hair that I had just purchased. We decided that Vietnamese Summer Rolls looked like the perfect girl’s night in recipe.
Once you get past the vegetable chopping, it’s really a very simple meal and perfect for social gatherings. We assembled all the ingredients on plates at my kitchen table and assembled our rolls as we talked an ate. Jaden’s recipe uses pork. I didn’t have any, but I did have some shrimp on hand, so we used that instead. And I was finally able to put the Thai Basil in my garden to good use!
The night we made them we used lettuce in the recipe as indicated, though not pictured here. After yesterday’s grocery store trip gone bad (imagine being locked out for 3 hours after a 20 grocery stop), I wasn’t about to head out just for some lettuce. This go around I also omitted the mint, because Eric doesn’t like it. I made these this afternoon for tonight’s dinner and photographed them since I hadn’t the other night – which is probably a good thing because these turned out prettier than the first rolls. Practice makes perfect!
Once you’ve done a few rolls it’s really not that hard at all and the taste is incredible and fresh. Served with a side of coconut sticky rice with fresh mango and almond dipping sauce for the rolls you can’t go wrong with this one. The original dipping sauce recipes that Jaden provides are peanut and cashew. We never have peanut butter in the house since Logan is severely allergic to peanuts, but I did have almond butter that I had just purchased from Amazon.com. The great thing about this particular brand – Barney Butter – is that it’s made in a strictly almond only facility. For us that means we can still enjoy a yummy nut butter with added safety for Logan because it hasn’t been cross-contaminated on shared machinery.
And because Jennifer Barney noticed my previous write up of her product (featuring Almond Butter Cookies), she’s offering 2 readers a pack of 1 jar smooth, 1 jar crunchy, and 6 of the smooth 90 calorie packs of almond butter. So, check out the rules and leave a comment for your chance to win!
The Rules:
- Leave a comment on THIS post by 11:59 pm PST October 17th
- Anonymous comments: leave your email address and first name in the comments.
- 2 random winners will be announced October 18th.
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Vietnamese Summer Rolls
adapted from Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, by Jaden Hair
- 1 – 12 oz package rice paper wrappers
- 1 head soft, leafy green lettuce, leaves separated
- 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
- 2 carrots cut into matchsticks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
- 1 big handful fresh Thai basil
- Lemongrass Shrimp
- Almond Dipping Sauce
Have t
he cooked shrimp, rice paper wrappers, vegetables, and herbs ready on your work surface to roll, or arrange ingredients on your dinner table and have everyone roll their own summer rolls.
Fill a pie tin with warm, not hot, water. Dip the edge of the rice paper in the water and quickly use both hands to turn the rice paper so each side dips in the water for 2 seconds.
Lay the still-stiff rice paper on a clean, dry surface. Fold the paper in half. It should be pliable and a bit stiff. Lay your lettuce, vegetables, meat, and herbs. Don’t over stuff! Each roll should only have about 2-3 shrimp.
Starting at the bottom, roll up. Tuck the ingredients in as you get that first turn to create a tighter roll. Continue rolling and you can make a slight tug back on the roll to make it tighter. If your work surface is dry, tugging will be easy. Wipe the work surface dry in between rolls.
Lemongrass Shrimp
adapted from Steamy Kitchen Cookbook
- 1 lb shrimp, cleaned, deveined and tails removed
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- juice of one lime
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
In a bowl, combine the shrimp with the rest of the ingredients. Marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature (while you prepare the vegetables for the rolls). Heat a wok or frying pant until very hot. Add the shrimp in a single layer. You may have to do this in a couple of batches. Fry 1-2 minutes on each side, or until shrimp is cooked through.
Almond Dipping Sauce
adapted from Oshii Eats as seen in The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook
- 1 Tbs cooking oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbs hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbs sugar
- 1 Tbs chilli garlic sauce
- 3 Tbs almond butter
- 2/3 c water, divided
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the oil and, when just starting to get hot, add the garlic and cook until lightly browned, about 30 seconds. Add the hoisin sauce, sugar, chilli garlic sauce, almond butter, and half of water, stir well and simmer for 30 seconds. Whisk in the rest of the water if you want a thinner consistency.
I LOVE almond butter! ๐
I make something like this all the time with tofu. I love those flavors! I always enclose both ends of my roll, but I love the way it looks with the vegetables poking out the back. So colorful!
those rolls look SO GOOD. i cannot ever find the rice paper anywhere though. i always want to do some kind of tasty spring roll. the barney butter sounds good! i would love to try it, but comment #2 never wins contests haha
I'm trying to eat healthier and would love to try this!!!!
Looks like an interesting product–and some great recipes!
These look beautiful! And I do love almond butter!
Gorgeous rolls! I have always made peanut sauce but I prefer almond butter so I will definitely be trying your recipe!!
I would love to try this almond butter!! I can't eat peanut butter much anymore and would love to have an alternative.
I love almond butter!
I use tons of almond butter!! And, must say I love your dish. Beautiful – but what else should I expect??
i hope i win!
Yummy. Reading this post is making me hungry! Thanks! I would love to win! My email is in my profile
I love Asian food too. I would definitely love to try some of that Almond Butter!
That sounds SO good! I am a HUGE fan of Asian inspired dishes!
Great recipe, it sounds so delicious. Barney Butter sounds so tempting…
I love all kinds of nut butters. Sometimes I think my son lives on them!
Those look so good! And I've been wanting to try some almond butter.
I'd love to try almond butter. My son is a peanut butter addict, but can't take it for his lunch because he goes to a peanut-free school.julieadp at gmail
I am excited to try this recipe. it looks really good.
That recipe looks great and I love almond butter – on my toast in the morning or added to a smoothie!
The spring rolls look really pretty and delicious. I would have enver thought of making an almond sauce, but i'd love to try it sometime!i also love peanut butter and have been meaning to try almond butter for a longgg time now. mmmm.-NicholeAcornscooter@yahoo.com
I love spring rolls, so fresh and tasty! I can't wait to get Jaden's book! I also LOVE almond butter. I love it with my apples.
Those rolls look tasty, especially with the shrimp! I haven't made my own yet, but I just bought a pack of rice papery rolls, so it's gonna happen soon.
these look amazing, and especially tasty with that dip ๐
these rolls look great and almond butter – i do not think i have ever had that. a great recipe!
Yum! I've been dying to try Barney Butter!amanda @ fakeginger.com
they look delish and i love almond butter! suzanne @ willowbottom@msn.com
What a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies – I'm going to have to try this!!! YUM!tammysimonson at ymail dot com
Yum! I love these spring rolls (I've made versions with shrimp before), and with almond butter dipping sauce? Yum! And while I've made mango sticky rice before, never thought of using it as a side to something like this! Awesome.
Those summer rolls look so good and so healthy too. I love this idea for parties, make a summer crudite platter. member(dot)thao(at)gmail.com
http://twitter.com/twinpowells/status/4861624464member(dot)thao(at)gmail.com
I have never tried almond butter. I would love to get the chance!veniceangel@hotmail.com
I would love to win this! Kbroderi@msn.com
I love Barney Butter but it's so hard to find!
I don't live in the US but wanted to say that this recipe looks really delish. I love Asian food and the dipping sauce sounds fab.
This recipe looks delish, I'm anxious to try out the dipping sauce. I've never tried almond butter, but I bet I would love it. Thanks! Lisalisa.lovesbargins at hotmail dot com
Those look delicious! I'm excited to try them!
Those little PB packets are super cute and convenient, what a great idea.
Ooooh girl! These look good.
those rolls look wonderful. vietnamese and thai are two cuisines i can never get enough of. and what better to make the traditional pad thai than chunky peanut butter!cheers,*heather*
So colorful and fun, I'm making that for dinner tomorrow! The nut butter looks yummers too!errolo@sbcglobal.net
I'd love to be entered into the contest for the almond butter; the little packs will work great for lunches!Elizabeth sprague.liz at gmail dot comThese look like a great alternative to the wraps I've been making hubby for lunches; He'll love these!
This recipe sounds so great! I there is a local thai food restaurant in my town that serves a very similar recipe but with peanut butter sauce. I have been wanting to try Barney butter for a while but havent because it is a little expensive so of course I had to enter this contest!
This sounds like a delicious combination of flavors and with Almond Butter…yum! I like trying new recipes. Could you tell us how to make the sticky coconut rice with fresh mango, also?
Yum! We love almond butter. Count me in!Meganstafford17@marshall.edu
Oooh I love Barney Butter, but since it's so expensive I don't purchase it all the time.Your summer rolls look SO fresh and delicious :)Sueswww.wearenotmartha.comthegirls@wearenotmartha.com
Awesome!! LOVE BB!http://iowagirleats.comiowagirleats@hotmail.com
Barney Butter is nothing short of amazing!
I have been wanting to try Almond Butter for the longest time, but because I live in a small town, there is only one store near that sells it, and it is pretty pricey. Would love to win this!
I love all nut butters, but haven't tried Barney Butter; what a fun treat! Thank you for the opportunity!!
I love almonds and I think I would really enjoy the almond butter. Thanks for the chance!
great rendition of the summer rolls!
I've never tried almond butter, but would love to! Sun Butter is delicious if you ever know anyone that needs a different alternative to PB.
i looove barney butter! especially the crunchy kind!! Thanks for the great giveaway!
please enter me, the barney butter looks greatsherribeachcombermom2004@yahoo.com
This looks like a super tasty meal, fun to prepare and healhy. LOVE it!!!
I'd never heard of Barney Butter before thisโI imagine the sandwich possibilities are endless!Kat M.velcrokat1@hotmail.com
I think Barney Butter is the only almond butter I haven't been able to try yet! I'm addicted, but I haven't found Barney Butter around here (and cost is always an issue).Great giveaway!
This looks so good. I can hardly wait to try it. Your recipes are the best!hunebe
I've wanted to try almond butter but have been too afraid to commit to a whole jar.wearehappy@comcast.net
I've been wanting to try Barney Butter for so long! Great giveaway!
Love crunchy Almond Butter!
Tweet http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/4901073038
Hello from new subscriber!tcarolinep (at ) Gmail (dot) com
I've always wanted to try this stuff!! Thanks so much for the opportunity.email:frootloops_04(at)hotmail(dot)com
almond butter sounds pretty darn delicious right now.
almond butter makes really fabulous cookies. i use the fork criss-cross like on peanut butter to confuse people. it's fun to see them ponder why it doesn't taste like peanuts! yum yum.
Those shrimp look PERFECTLY cooked! I always get the grilled shrimp that comes with a peanut sauce at my favorite vietnamese restaurant- your homemade version looks at LEAST as delicious!
Almond butter is pretty much my favorite food! I have wanted to try barney butter for so long. alexis.brandt(at)gmail(dot)com
These dishes look amazing! Thank you for the giveaway, can't wait to try the recipesTammy Stlstickland at netscape dot net
Ooh yum! Thanks for the chance to win!
thanks for the giveaway!kstrembel@yahoo.com
I now subscribe on google reader!
Name: Sami Email: cox_2446@hotmail.comThis recipe looks amazing! ๐
I don't know if we have almond butter in Alaska. I want some! (I'm subscribing too!)
Wow – a widget – who knew you were so advanced? I'm thrilled!
My daughter is allergic to peanuts too. This would be great!
MMMM! Being a college student, I eat more nut butter sandwiches than I probably should! But my peanut butter would hit the bricks if I got some Barney Butter! I have only tried it once in one of the little single serve packs and it was ammmmazing! ๐ Thanks!
I don't twitter, so I linked back on my blog. Whether it counts or not, just sharing the love! ๐ http://nutritiousisdelicious.blogspot.com/2009/10/candylicious.html#more
I would love to try their almond butter
Almond butter – sounds yummy!!
Everyone is ALWAYS talking about Barney Butter! I'd love to try some!
I love almond butter! My hubby is Vietnamese so I can't wait to try your recipe!aniasurvey@gmail.com
I have never tried almond butter – fortunately, we don't have allergies in our house (at least not too peanuts) and while our school threatened to be peanut-free, they have been a little lax on enforcement. However, I have heard great things about almond butter in general and would be very interested in giving it a try…And thanks for the recipe pointer! Sounds like a great dish for my next party, gets everyone involved!
I've heard good things about Barney Butter and would love to try it!xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com
What a delicious giveaway. I love Barney AB.
My tweet:http://twitter.com/TheSkinnyPlate/status/4938092059
I sub via google reader
Thank you for the delicious giveaway!
I love love love almond butter, but have never tried Barney Butter!cmdrayer@comcast.net
Almond butter in little packets…what a great idea!wenigj@aol.com
I Love Almond Butter! Would Love to Try Barney Butter.DevinDevinPrentiss72@gmail.com
I Tweeted! http://twitter.com/DevinspDevinDevinPrentiss72@gmail.com
AND I Just Subscribed! :)RSS reader.DevinDevinPrentiss72@gmail.com
i cant wait to try this. I've recently purchased rice paper tooawesome giveaway!
wow – this is a great giveaway! I ordered myself some barney's about a year ago and went through 50 packets in a little over a month… so yes, I'm slightly addicted! p.s. I love the blog! Your food looks so fresh and beautiful. You have a true talent ๐ Adding you to my blogroll now! Have a great night,Jenny
i soooo want this! im a peanut butter ADDICT- almond would be a nice change!
such beautiful photos!! the rolls look delicious :]
those rolls look really good I am going to have to try this recipe I have a question about the sauce how strong is the almond butter flavor in it?? Great giveaway by the way.erica_haggins@hotmail.com
i subscribe in reader.
Link back here:http://theskinnyplate.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/tasty-bite-tikka-masala-simmer-sauce/
haha yes I made the deadline by 1 HOUR! :)awesome giveaway!
mmm. Almond butter.