rice noodle rolls w/ pork & mushrooms

If you like exploring new {noodles} recipes, try making this Vietnamese homemade rice noodle rolls. I’ve never made them because my aunt just makes them for us instead. =) And they’re so good! You can also substitute the pork filling with (minced) shrimp or other types of meat/mushrooms. My aunt usually makes the rolls with fried shallots topped with Vietnamese ham called cha lua, along with fresh herbs. Very simple, but very tasty.

This recipe comes from Luke Nguyen, an acclaimed Vietnamese-Australian chef and owner of Red Lantern in Sydney. I enjoy watching his cooking show, Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam, where he travels across the country to explore and cook local Vietnamese cuisine. He is also the co-founder of Little Lantern Foundation, a non-proft organization that helps disadvantaged and under-educated youths in central Vietnam improve their lives through vocational training programs in the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industry.

Rice Noodle Rolls Filled w/ Pork & Wood Ear Mushrooms

4 dried wood ear mushrooms
1 tsp fish sauce
1/2 lb rice flour
1/4 tapioca flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 red asian shallots, diced
1/2 lb minced pork
1/2 tsp sugar
1 lb pork terrine, finely sliced
2 lebanese (short) cucumbers, sliced into batons
1 bunch fresh vietnamese mint, leaves plucked
1 bunch fresh mint, leaves plucked
1/2 lb mung bean sprouts
2 tbsp fried red asian shallots
1 cup fish sauce
2 bird’s eye chili, sliced

Put the mushrooms in a bowl, cover with water and soak for 20 minutes, then drain and slice thinly.

To make the batter, combine rice flour, tapioca flour and salt with 2 1/2 cup of cold water. Whisk until the flour dissolves and forms a smooth batter.

Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat, then add 2 tbsp oil. Fry the garlic and shallots until fragrant, then add the pork, mushrooms, fish sauce, sugar, and pinch of salt and pepper. Stir-fry for 4 minutes, then transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Brush a round tray with oil and place beside the stove. Heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat, and add enough oil to coat the base of the pan. Pour a small ladle-size (2 to 3 tbsp) batter into the pan, turning the pan in a circular motion to cover the base with a thin layer of batter. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 30 seconds.

Remove the lid and slide the thin noodle sheet onto your oiled tray. Scoop 1 tbsp pork mixture onto the noodle sheet, fold 2 sides in, then fold over to form a roll. Transfer to a plate. Repeat this process using the remaining batter and pork mixture, adding oil to the pan as necessary.

Top the rolls with pork terrine, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, fried shallots, and cucumber. Dress with fish sauce and serve with sliced chili.

{Image and recipe from Cooking Channel: Luke Nguyen}