Fresh Spring Rolls

Whether you call them summer rolls or fresh spring rolls, this popular Vietnamese snack is easy to make at home (though it can take a fair amount of time to assemble). Prep a few ingredients in advance, grab a friend to help form an assembly line, and you’ll have no trouble cranking them out for a party. 

For this fresh spring roll recipe, you’ll soften rice paper wrappers in hot water (check the package instructions; timing can vary by brand), then stuff them with cooked shrimp and assorted mix-ins, including bright mango and seedless English hothouse cucumbers. But, once you’ve gotten the hang of rolling them, you should feel free to play around: Use cooked ground pork flavored with shallots and ginger, or swap in diced tofu for a vegetarian rendition. Trade the vermicelli for other styles of rice noodles or mung beans. Use any crunchy vegetable you like (radishes, red bell pepper, etc.), or even fruits like Asian pear—or tuck the rolls into butter lettuce leaves for even more crisp freshness. Mix and match the fresh herbs for whatever you please, such as bean sprouts or Thai basil.

The umami nuoc cham dipping sauce recipe is a bright complement to the sweet shrimp, while the sweet and tangy peanut sauce is a consummate crowd-pleaser. Still, you could serve these fresh spring rolls with sweet chili sauce or quartered lime wedges for squeezing at the table.