lovethechefblog

This week I decided to do a hands on dinner that the grandkids would have to help make. I wanted it to be something different with some culture in it. I came up with fresh spring rolls and lettuce wraps. I knew it would be difficult to teach them how to roll up the spring rolls but FUN! I started by preparing all the ingredients and figuring out an assembly line that more than one person could do at a time. With 9 people it could be a while.

I put spring roll wrappers on each end of the bar with noodles too. The kids worked their way down from each end. If you know me, you know I hate paper plates! But we had to use paper plates because the wrappers didn’t stick to the paper plates like it did to the regular plate.

I used: rice noodles, shrimp,shredded lettuce,very thin sliced cucumbers, matchstick carrots, bean sprouts, mint, basil, and cilantro to go in our rice paper wraps.

There was a bowl of hot/warm water next to the rice papers. Put the hard rice paper in the warm water until it is totally limp. It feels like a popped balloon texture. Next, lay the rice wrapper in your plate and start filling it. Remember, you have to fold it up so not to full.

When filling your spring roll, put your ingredients to one side. Then, roll from that side tucking your end in as you go. The kids did really well I think. We also made a peanut sauce that I found on the internet:

For the peanut sauce:

• 3/4 cup natural-style creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 1/2 medium limes)
• 4 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons chile-garlic paste
• 1 medium garlic clove, mashed to a paste
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Then on to the lettuce wraps. Very easy. I used romain lettuce because the bib lettuce didn’t look so good at the store.

Recipe for Lettuce Wraps:

Lettuce Wraps:

1 lb.  ground turkey

1 package of baby bella mushrooms chopped

2 garlic cloves chopped

1 small can of water chestnuts drained and chopped

2 green onions chopped

2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger

1/3  cup of hoisin sauce

¼ cup soy sauce

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup bean sprouts

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup cilantro

Bib lettuce

Red pepper sauce

Spray pan with cooking spray. Cook turkey in skillet. Stiring along the way . Add, chopped mushrooms, chopped garlic ,chopped green onions,  water chestnuts and ginger. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes.

Clean and separate bib lettuce leaves.

Put meat mixture in bib lettuce leave and top with bean sprout, carrots and cilantro. You can add red pepper sauce and soy sauce  if you would like.

The kids talked about this for days. They loved making their own food! I think I am going to try sushi next…Yikes! I hope your family has as much fun as we did!