Craving a delicious and refreshing appetizer or light meal? Look no further than these crispy shrimp and pork spring rolls! This recipe delivers the perfect balance of savory and succulent, with juicy pork and tender shrimp enveloped in delicate rice paper wrappers. Forget soggy, oily spring rolls; this method ensures perfectly crisp exteriors without the excess grease, thanks to a clever cooking technique you'll discover within. These spring rolls are incredibly versatile, adaptable to your favorite dipping sauces and perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to elegant gatherings.
The secret to achieving that irresistible crunch lies in a few simple yet effective steps, avoiding the common pitfalls of overly oily or soggy spring rolls. Ready to learn how to create these delectable treats? Let's dive into the detailed, step-by-step process outlined below, guiding you through each stage to ensure perfect, crispy spring rolls every time.
Tools Needed
- Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Paper Towels
- Freezer
- Spring Roll Wrappers
Ingredients
- Shrimp: 30
- Lean Ground Pork: 300g
- Minced Onion & Garlic: 1 tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp
- Seasoning Powder: 1 tsp
- MSG (optional): 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/3 tsp
- Pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Oyster Sauce: 1 tbsp
- Taro: 100g (20g per roll)
- Shredded Noodles
- Carrots: 60g
- Soaked Black Fungus: 50g (15g dry)
- Vermicelli: 20g
- Chopped Green Onions: 2 tbsp
- Egg Yolk: 1
- White Bread
- Cooking Oil
- Lemon: 1 slice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Filling and Shrimp
- Clean, peel, and devein shrimp, leaving the last segment and tail. Wash with diluted saltwater and pat dry. Make small cuts on the shrimp belly to prevent shrinking during frying.
- Marinate the ground pork with minced onion & garlic, sugar, seasoning powder, MSG (optional), salt, pepper, and oyster sauce. Mix well.
- Combine marinated pork with taro, shredded noodles, carrots, black fungus, vermicelli, green onions, and egg yolk. Mix thoroughly. The vermicelli will absorb excess moisture, keeping the filling dry.
Step 2. Assemble and Freeze the Spring Rolls
- Prepare spring roll wrappers. Place a small piece of white bread inside each wrapper to prevent oil absorption.
- Add a small amount of filling and a whole shrimp to each wrapper. Use egg white to seal the edges.
- Roll the spring rolls tightly but not too firm to prevent bursting during frying.
- Freeze the rolled spring rolls for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3. Fry for Crispy Perfection
- Heat cooking oil. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the oil before heating to prevent splattering and maintain crispiness.
- Fry the spring rolls at medium heat until golden brown on both sides. Ensure the side closest to the edge is facing down initially to prevent it from falling apart.
Step 4. Drain and Serve
- Remove spring rolls and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
Read more: Crispy Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls: A Foolproof Recipe
Tips
- Leaving the shrimp whole makes each spring roll visually appealing.
- The amount of shrimp should equal the amount of ground meat if you chop the shrimp instead of leaving them whole.
- A dry filling is crucial for crispy spring rolls. The vermicelli helps achieve this.
- Freezing the spring rolls before frying helps maintain crispiness.
- Adding lemon juice to the oil prevents splattering and promotes crispiness.
- Fry at medium heat to avoid burning or excessive oil absorption.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. How can I make sure my spring rolls don't get soggy?
The key is to avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking and ensuring the rolls are completely dry before frying or baking. Properly sealing the rolls also helps prevent them from absorbing oil.
2. Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the shrimp and pork filling a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the spring roll assembly much faster.
So there you have it – perfectly crispy shrimp and pork spring rolls, achieved without the excess oil! These delightful bites are sure to impress your friends and family, and become a new favorite appetizer or light meal. Enjoy the satisfying crunch and burst of flavor in every bite!