Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Lime Dipping Sauce

• 8 (8-inch / 20 cm) rice paper wrappers
• 12 oz (about 16), peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 3 oz (85 g) rice vermicelli
• 8 leaves, ribs trimmed butter lettuce
• 2, cut into matchsticks carrot
• 1, cut into matchsticks cucumber
• 1 cup, leaves fresh mint
• 1 cup, leaves and tender stems fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2, juiced lime
• 1.5 tbsp raw honey
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1 small, thinly sliced fresh chili peppers (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the vermicelli in boiling water as the package directs, usually 3 to 4 minutes, then rinse in cold water, drain well, and snip it a few times with scissors.
2. Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer, poach the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes until pink and opaque, then chill them in ice water.
3. Slice each shrimp in half lengthwise, so you have about 32 halves.
4. Whisk the fish sauce, lime juice, honey, garlic, chili, and 1/4 cup warm water for the dipping sauce, then taste and add a little more honey or lime until it is balanced between salty, sour, and sweet.
5. Set up a station with a shallow dish of warm water, a damp cutting board or clean tea towel, and your fillings in rows.
6. Dip one rice paper in the water for 5 to 10 seconds, until it is just beginning to soften, and lay it on the damp board; it keeps softening as it sits.
7. Lay 4 shrimp halves, pink side down, in a row across the top third, then pile a lettuce leaf, a spoonful of noodles, carrot, cucumber, mint, and cilantro on the lower third.
8. Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold in both sides, and roll up tightly; repeat with the rest and serve with the dipping sauce.

Tips

• Do not oversoak the wrappers. A wrapper that feels slightly firm when you lift it will finish softening while you fill it.
• Rolls stick to each other. Lay them apart on a plate under a damp towel, and serve within a couple of hours.
• For a vegetarian version, use baked tofu strips in place of the shrimp, and swap the fish sauce for 2 tbsp tamari mixed with the lime, honey, and garlic.
• Make it a build-your-own meal: set out the wrappers and fillings and let everyone roll their own.

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