SHRIMP SUMMER ROLLS WITH NUOC CHAM

Shrimp Summer Rolls with Nuoc Cham image

Traditional nuoc cham, a Vietnamese dipping sauce, is much sweeter than the version here, which amps up the lime juice for a tangy twist. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Provided by Food Network

Categories appetizer

Time 30m

Yield 8 summer rolls

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

One 8.8-ounce package rice vermicelli (see Cook's Note)
12 large peeled and deveined shrimp (about 8 ounces)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce (see Cook's Note)
1 large clove garlic, finely grated
1 red Thai bird chile or 1/4 red jalapeno, finely chopped
Eight 8 1/2-inch round rice paper wrappers
2 scallions, cut into 1 1/2-inch matchsticks
1 medium carrot, cut into 1 1/2-inch matchsticks
1/3 English cucumber, cut into 1 1/2-inch matchsticks
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1/2 cup Thai basil leaves or sweet basil leaves
1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped

Steps:

Prepare the rice vermicelli according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water. Boil the shrimp until bright pink, opaque and just cooked, about 1 1/2 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice bath. Once cool, slice each shrimp in half lengthwise, pat dry and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the nuoc cham by whisking together the lime juice, 1/4 cup water, sugar, fish sauce, garlic and chile in a medium bowl. Set aside.
To assemble the summer rolls, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill a large skillet with cold water.
Working one a time, soak a rice paper wrapper in the skillet until just pliable, 5 to 7 seconds. Transfer the wrapper to a clean cutting board. Line up 3 shrimp halves, pink-side down, in the bottom third of the wrapper. Layer with some scallions, carrots, cucumbers, mint, cilantro and basil. Top with a scant 1/4 cup vermicelli and sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of the peanuts. Fold in the sides of the wrapper, then roll it up like a burrito. Place it on the prepared baking sheet seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling ingredients, making sure the rolls are not touching on the baking sheet.
Cover the finished summer rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store any remaining vermicelli in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serve the summer rolls with the nuoc cham on the side for dipping.