Mastering Vietnamese Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon) with a Unique Cashew Nut Dipping Sauce
There’s a special magic in creating fresh, vibrant Vietnamese Summer Rolls, also known as Goi Cuon. This morning, the kitchen came alive as I prepared these exquisite rolls, complete with a delectable Cashew Nut Dipping Sauce, live on ABC7! The experience was truly fantastic, and the immediate aftermath of the broadcast saw the entire crew enthusiastically devouring every last roll. Their swift disappearance was the ultimate testament to how incredibly delicious and refreshing this healthy Vietnamese dish truly is.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls are a celebrated staple of Vietnamese cuisine, revered for their harmonious blend of fresh ingredients, light texture, and wholesome profile. Unlike their fried counterparts, spring rolls, Goi Cuon are always served fresh, offering a delightful crunch from crisp vegetables, succulent protein, and aromatic herbs, all encased in a delicate, translucent rice paper wrapper. This recipe elevates the traditional approach by introducing a unique twist to both the protein preparation and the dipping sauce, transforming a classic into a truly standout dish perfect for any occasion, from a light lunch to an impressive party appetizer.
The Secret to Our Irresistible Summer Rolls: Flavorful Grilled Lemongrass Shrimp
Traditionally, Vietnamese Summer Rolls often feature shrimp that has been simply boiled, which yields a clean and straightforward flavor. However, both Oishii Eats and I share a strong preference for a more robust and complex taste, which is why we always opt for grilled shrimp. Marinating and grilling the shrimp infuses it with a delightful smoky depth and a beautiful char that boiled shrimp simply cannot achieve. Our secret to this enhanced flavor lies in a vibrant lemongrass marinade that transforms humble shrimp into a truly sensational component of the summer roll.
Lemongrass is an indispensable ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking, cherished for its bright, citrusy aroma and subtle, zesty undertones. When freshly grated and combined with a few essential seasonings, it not only tenderizes the shrimp but also imparts an incredible fragrance that elevates the entire dish. If you’re new to working with lemongrass, don’t be intimidated! It’s becoming increasingly available in most major supermarkets, often found in the produce section alongside other herbs. To prepare it, simply peel off the tough, fibrous outer layers until you reach the paler, more tender inner stalk. Then, use a microplane zester to finely grate the bottom 4 inches of the stalk. If fresh lemongrass proves difficult to find, you can substitute it with a touch of fresh lemon zest to mimic a similar bright note, or alternatively, marinate your shrimp in a simple mixture of minced garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce for a different but equally delicious flavor profile.
Beyond Peanut Butter: The Elegance of Cashew Butter Dipping Sauce
While a classic peanut butter-based sauce is a popular accompaniment for summer rolls, we believe there’s a more refined and equally delicious alternative that truly allows the freshness of the rolls to shine: cashew butter. For those feeling a bit adventurous, almond butter can also offer a delightful twist! These alternative nut butters provide a more fragrant and delicate flavor profile compared to peanut butter, ensuring that the dipping sauce enhances rather than overwhelms the subtle tastes of the fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and succulent shrimp within the Goi Cuon. The result is an incredibly smooth, creamy, and undeniably moreish sauce that creates a sophisticated culinary experience with every dip.
The consistency of the dipping sauce is paramount to its success and enjoyment. We prefer our sauce to be slightly thinner than what many traditional recipes might suggest. This intentional thinness ensures that when you dip your Vietnamese summer roll, it receives a light, even coating of sauce. This subtle embrace allows you to still fully appreciate the crispness of the vegetables, the tenderness of the shrimp, and the vibrant flavors of all the fresh ingredients inside. It’s about achieving a perfect balance, where the sauce complements the roll without masking its natural goodness, creating a truly harmonious bite. This cashew dipping sauce is so good, it might just become your new favorite!
Vietnamese Shrimp Mango Summer Rolls Recipe
Our unique take on the classic Vietnamese Summer Roll emphasizes flavor and freshness. The lemongrass-infused grilled shrimp offers a delightful contrast to the crisp vegetables and sweet mango, all enveloped in a soft rice paper wrapper. And for the dipping sauce, we’ve veered from the conventional peanut butter, choosing cashew butter for its subtle fragrance and smoother texture. This creates a sauce that coats the rolls lightly, allowing the vibrant flavors of each ingredient to shine through, making it a truly unforgettable dish.
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE SUMMER ROLLS:
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (substitute with soy sauce if preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemongrass (use the bottom 4 inches of the stalk)
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 24 small sized shrimp, shelled and deveined (about 1 lb)
- 6 ounces dried rice vermicelli noodles
- 12 round rice papers (8″ diameter), for wrapping
- 1 head of butter or Boston Bibb lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- 1 cup julienned or finely shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup julienned red bell peppers
- 1/2 ripe mango, sliced into thin slivers
- 24 fresh mint leaves
FOR THE CASHEW BUTTER DIPPING SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced (approximately 3 teaspoons)
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 3 tablespoons creamy cashew butter
- 1/4 cup water (or more, to achieve desired consistency)
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the Shrimp: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, freshly grated lemongrass, a generous pinch of freshly ground black pepper, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the shelled and deveined shrimp to this aromatic marinade, tossing gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least 10 minutes while you proceed with preparing the vermicelli noodles.
- 2. Cook the Vermicelli Noodles: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the dried rice vermicelli noodles and cook for precisely 4 minutes. It is crucial to avoid overcooking them, as they can quickly become mushy. Immediately drain the noodles in a colander, then rinse them thoroughly with cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together. Drain again, pressing gently to remove as much excess water as possible. Set the cooled and drained vermicelli aside.
- 3. Grill the Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or frying pan over high heat until it shimmers. Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are opaque, beautifully pink, and have developed some delicious charred edges. For an even deeper smoky flavor, you could also thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill them on an outdoor grill. Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a plate and allow them to cool slightly. When they are cool enough to handle, carefully bisect each shrimp lengthwise down the middle of its back. This creates two thinner, identical halves, which are much easier to arrange neatly and wrap evenly within the rice paper rolls.
- 4. Set Up Your Rolling Station: Find a clean, dry, and spacious work surface, such as a large cutting board or a clean countertop. Fill a pie plate or a rectangular baking dish with about 1 inch of warm (not hot!) water. Have all your prepped ingredients – the separated lettuce leaves, cooled vermicelli, julienned carrots, julienned red bell pepper, mango slivers, fresh mint leaves, and bisected shrimp – neatly arranged and within easy reach. This organized setup will streamline the rolling process.
- 5. Soften the Rice Paper Wrapper: Take one round rice paper wrapper and dip it into the warm water for a quick 2-3 seconds. The key here is brevity; you want it moist, not saturated. Lift the round and allow any excess water to drip off, then immediately place it flat on your clean, dry work surface. If the top appears too wet, gently blot it with a paper towel. The wrapper will still feel a bit stiff at this point, but it will continue to soften to the perfect pliable consistency as you add your fillings. Remember, you will work on one roll at a time for optimal results.
- 6. Assemble the Roll: Arrange four halves of the grilled shrimp in a neat line near the bottom third of the softened rice paper, ensuring the vibrant pink side of the shrimp faces down so it will be beautifully visible through the translucent wrapper. On top of the shrimp, layer a piece of lettuce, a small bundle of vermicelli noodles, a handful of julienned carrots, a few red bell pepper strips, some sweet mango slices, and finish with two fresh mint leaves. Try your best to keep all the ingredients compact and stacked neatly on top of the shrimp to facilitate easier and tighter rolling.
- 7. Roll the Summer Roll: Starting with the side closest to you, tightly roll up the wrapper, making sure to tuck in the ingredients as you go. Roll about halfway, then pause to gently tug back on the roll towards you to create a tighter cylinder. Next, fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the center, similar to how you would fold an envelope. Continue rolling tightly until you reach the top edge. The rice paper is naturally self-sealing and will adhere to itself. For a professional, clean presentation, you can use a very sharp knife to carefully trim off the two ends of the roll.
- 8. Store and Repeat: Transfer the freshly made summer roll to a serving platter. To prevent the delicate rice paper from drying out and hardening, cover the platter loosely with plastic wrap or a slightly damp paper towel. Before starting each new roll, remember to wipe your counter or rolling surface dry – a dry surface helps the rice paper create the necessary tension for a perfectly tight and neat roll. Repeat the dipping, filling, and rolling process with the remaining ingredients until all 12 rolls are completed.
- 9. Troubleshooting Rice Paper Consistency: It’s worth noting that rice paper wrappers can vary slightly in thickness and pliability. If you find your wrapper is a little too stiff to roll by the time you’ve added all the ingredients, try one of these adjustments for subsequent rolls: dip it for an extra second, allow it to sit for a few more seconds on the work surface before adding ingredients, or use slightly warmer water (but never hot, as it can cause the paper to tear). Always ensure excess water drips off and your work surface remains dry – these steps are key for a successful wrap.
- 10. Efficiency Tip for Rolling: While it might seem tempting to dip multiple rice papers at once to save time, it’s generally best to work one roll at a time. Rice paper softens quite quickly, and you won’t save a significant amount of time by dipping several at once. More importantly, if two wet rounds touch each other, they will almost certainly stick together, making them incredibly difficult to separate without tearing or wrinkling, which can be frustrating. If, for any reason, you absolutely must dip more than one at a time, ensure you place a damp paper towel or a sheet of parchment paper between each wet wrapper to prevent them from adhering.
- 11. Prepare the Cashew Butter Dipping Sauce: While your beautiful summer rolls are chilling, prepare the exquisite cashew butter dipping sauce. In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, being very careful not to burn it. Stir in the hoisin sauce, sugar, chili garlic sauce (adjust the amount to your preferred level of spiciness), creamy cashew butter, and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth, well combined, and gently simmering. If the sauce appears too thick, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired pourable, yet coating, consistency. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve the dipping sauce warm or at room temperature alongside your fresh summer rolls for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Tips for Perfect Summer Rolls Every Time
Making fresh Vietnamese summer rolls is a delightful culinary art, and with a few key tips, you can ensure each roll is a masterpiece. Achieving that perfect balance of texture, flavor, and visual appeal is easier than you think:
- Don’t Over-Wet the Rice Paper: This is arguably the most common mistake. A quick dip of 1-2 seconds in warm water is truly all that’s needed. The rice paper will continue to soften and become pliable as you begin to add your fillings. Over-soaked paper becomes excessively sticky, difficult to handle, and tears very easily.
- Work Quickly and Individually: For the best results, prepare one roll at a time. While it might be tempting to soften multiple wrappers simultaneously to save time, wet rice papers will stick together if they touch, leading to frustration and wasted wrappers. Focus on perfecting each roll before moving to the next.
- Organize Your Rolling Station: Before you even start dipping rice paper, have all your ingredients prepped, chopped, and neatly arranged in an assembly-line fashion. This includes your cooked shrimp, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, mango, and mint. A well-organized station streamlines the rolling process and keeps everything efficient and stress-free.
- Keep Fillings Compact: When layering your ingredients onto the rice paper, try to keep them in a tight, central bundle. This not only makes the rolling process much easier but also helps create a firm, evenly shaped roll that holds its form beautifully when served and dipped.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first few rolls aren’t Instagram-perfect. Like any new skill, rolling summer rolls gets easier and more refined with practice. Remember, regardless of their initial shape, the taste will still be absolutely amazing! Enjoy the process and the learning curve.
- Prevent Drying After Rolling: Once a summer roll is finished, immediately transfer it to your serving platter and cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a slightly damp paper towel. This prevents the delicate rice paper from drying out and hardening, ensuring your rolls remain soft and enjoyable until serving time.
Creative Variations for Your Goi Cuon
While shrimp and mango create a classic and delicious combination, Vietnamese summer rolls are incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different fillings and sauces to suit your personal taste, dietary needs, or what you have available. Here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:
- Protein Power:
- Grilled Chicken or Pork: Marinate thin strips of chicken or pork in a similar lemongrass, garlic, or soy-ginger mixture and then grill or pan-fry them until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Tofu or Tempeh: For a delightful vegetarian or vegan option, pan-fry or grill seasoned tofu or tempeh until golden brown and firm. Marinate them beforehand for maximum flavor.
- Crab or Imitation Crab: Shredded cooked crab meat or imitation crab sticks can add a delicate sweetness and different texture to your rolls.
- Duck: Thinly sliced roasted duck can add a rich, savory dimension.
- Abundant Vegetable & Fruit Options:
- Cucumber and Jicama: Add extra crunch and a refreshing crispness to your rolls.
- Avocado: Creamy slices of ripe avocado pair wonderfully with the other textures and flavors, adding a rich, buttery element.
- Edamame: Shelled edamame can provide a burst of green color and an additional source of plant-based protein.
- Pineapple: For an even sweeter, tropical twist, replace mango with thinly sliced fresh pineapple.
- Aromatic Herb Appeal:
- Cilantro and Thai Basil: Introduce different aromatic notes by incorporating fresh cilantro or fragrant Thai basil leaves.
- Perilla Leaves: Often found in Vietnamese cuisine, perilla leaves offer a unique, slightly minty and peppery flavor that adds another layer of complexity.
- Chives: Thinly sliced chives can provide a mild oniony flavor without being overpowering.
- Alternative Sauce Swaps:
- Classic Peanut Sauce: If you prefer the traditional, a rich and creamy peanut butter sauce (often with hoisin, lime, and a touch of spice) is always a hit.
- Nuoc Cham: A light, tangy, and spicy fish sauce-based dipping sauce is another incredibly popular and refreshing choice, offering a different flavor experience.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: For a quick and easy option, a good quality sweet chili sauce can also be a delightful accompaniment.
More Great Dishes for Chinese New Year Celebrations
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a time of joyous celebration, profound family reunions, and, perhaps most importantly, incredibly delicious and symbolic food! Each dish served during this auspicious time carries deep cultural meaning, promising good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. Preparing these traditional foods is a way to honor ancestors, connect with family, and invite blessings into the new year. Here are some incredible dishes that not only taste fantastic but also embody wishes for good luck and abundance in your festivities.
Embrace Abundance with Whole Grilled Fish on Banana Leaf
Serving a whole fish during Chinese New Year is a deeply ingrained and profoundly symbolic tradition. The Chinese word for “fish” (鱼 – yú) sounds remarkably similar to the word for “surplus” or “abundance” (余 – yú). Therefore, enjoying a whole fish, prepared with its head and tail intact, signifies a complete and prosperous year, ensuring that your family will always have more than enough to thrive. This particular recipe for Whole Grilled Fish on Banana Leaf not only adheres to this beautiful tradition but also infuses the fish with incredible, subtle flavors. The banana leaf wrapper acts as a natural steaming pouch as the fish grills, keeping it wonderfully moist and tender while imparting a subtle, earthy, and fragrant aroma. It’s a truly stunning centerpiece that is as delightful to behold as it is to savor, promising a year filled with bounty.
Classic Elegance: Chinese Style Steamed Fish
Another exquisite and highly popular way to enjoy the symbolic “abundance” of fish during Chinese New Year is through Chinese Style Steamed Fish. Steaming is a revered cooking method in Chinese cuisine, celebrated for its ability to preserve the natural delicate flavors and incredibly tender texture of the ingredients. This dish typically features a whole, fresh fish, lightly seasoned and expertly steamed with aromatic fresh ginger, vibrant scallions, and a touch of light soy sauce. It’s often finished with a sizzling drizzle of hot oil just before serving, which crisps the aromatics and enhances its fragrant best. It’s a light, incredibly healthy, and profoundly flavorful dish that highlights the pristine freshness of the fish, making it a perfect and auspicious addition to your Chinese New Year feast. This preparation specifically represents purity, good fortune, and wishes for a smooth and effortless year ahead.
Delightful Bites: Easy Chinese BBQ Pastries with Store-Bought Puff Pastry
For a delightful savory pastry that is surprisingly easy to create, these Chinese BBQ Pastries using store-bought puff pastry are an absolute winner for your New Year’s spread. Often filled with succulent char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), these pastries are characterized by their flaky, golden-brown crust and a rich, savory-sweet filling, making them an irresistible snack or appetizer. The beautiful golden-brown color of the puff pastry signifies prosperity and good fortune, while the delicious filling ensures satisfaction and happiness. Utilizing pre-made puff pastry significantly simplifies the preparation process, allowing you to create impressive, bakery-quality pastries with minimal effort and maximum impact. They are perfect for sharing with family and friends, bringing joy and a touch of indulgent tradition to your Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolizing a year full of delightful treats and good fortune.
Whether you’re crafting fresh, vibrant Vietnamese Summer Rolls for a healthy meal or preparing a traditional Chinese New Year feast filled with auspicious dishes, these recipes are designed to bring authentic flavors, cultural richness, and joyful culinary experiences to your kitchen. Enjoy the process of creating these delicious dishes and sharing them with your cherished loved ones!