Spring Rolls

Spring rolls, just like you'd get at the restaurant...but you are at home.

Here's what you need

1 package rice stick noodles (these were in the Asian section of my grocery store)

1 package spring roll wraps (I found these in the organic section of my grocery store. You can always venture out to an Asian grocery store and see what you find)

1 cucumber

1 carrot

Cilantro paste

Cooked shrimp/tiny chopped cooked chicken (if you want meat)

If you want a sauce, here's something you can do

2 Tablespoons peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 lime (juice)

2 teaspoons rice vinegar

2 Tablespoons water

Mix it all together and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen up the peanut butter.

This is what rice sticks look like.

 And the funky spring roll wraps. Please translate.

First boil the water for your rice stick noodle things. Toss the noodles in and turn off the heat. They'll cook in just a few minutes. Strain them and set aside so they cool.

Then prep all your ingredients. Chop the cucumber in long, thin strands.

 And shred the carrot. Just take a carrot peeler, peal it, then keep going until you've gone through the whole carrot.

 Put some water on a plate. Go for one with raised edges, ya know, so the water doesn't go everywhere.

 It helps to have all your ingredients prepped for this one. Here's my station. Have a second dry plate to help you roll.

 Take a wrap and put it on your water plate. Move it around so the whole thing gets water time. Add a little water on top if you think it's not getting enough water love.

 The wrap is 'done' when it loosens up and becomes almost slimy. Don't let the thing dissolve though.

 Take a chunk of rice stick noodle things and spread them across the wrap, leaving a little space on the sides...which I forgot to do and just corrected later.

 Toss of your veggies and cooked meat if you want it. If you go shrimp, you really only need about 3 small/medium ones per spring roll. Please take off the shrimp shells and tails. Please

 Add a squirt of cilantro paste and smooth it out with your finger. It adds a nice touch of flavor.

 Fold the sides.

 Then take the top and lay it on top of the noodle/veggies. Tuck it under that stuff tightly and roll it. This was too hard to take a picture of one handed. Make it as tight as you can. Think of a burrito.

 The wrap will seal together because it's wet. And Ta Da! You have a spring roll. Make however many you want :) And Eat!