This is what we had for dinner tonight. It is the first time I have used rice papers and they worked better than I expected. At the end of the day, they are just a vessel for whatever you want. I love Thai flavours so that’s what I created but I have heaps of rice papers left over and will use them quite differently next time.
- Rice Papers
- 400g/14oz pork mince
- 1 red chilli
- ½ red pepper
- 1 courgette
- 1 carrot
- A small knob of ginger
- 1 tbsp soya sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- Salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- Chop finely the red chilli and red pepper.
- Grate the ginger.
- Peel and grate the carrot.
- Grate the courgette.
- Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the red chilli and ginger.
- Cook for a few minutes.
- Add the red pepper and cook 1 minute.
- Add the mince and cook until browned.
- Add the soya and fish sauces and season to taste.
- Wet the rice papers as per the instructions on the packet.
- Place a strip of the pork mixture and the grated carrot on each paper and roll up tightly.
- Serve with the sauce.
- Mix all the ingredients to combine.
I have just published my second novel: No More tears. This is a summary of the story:
Driven by a tragic childhood memory, Lori Austen goes to set up an orphanage in Iraq, where she is taken hostage by terrorists. She struggles to find the strength to endure the isolation and brutality of the terrorist leader, Ahmed. Her physical survival is closely linked to her emotional state as she is moved from place to place in an effort to keep her one step ahead of a covert American extract team.
Jeff, the leader of the extract team, fights his own inner battles. While on his first mission in Italy during the days of the Red Brigade, his entire team were killed. Survivor’s guilt and an obsession with terrorists drive his choices in life.
Back home in America, Lori’s powerful parents are battling the leader of the Anti-terrorist department, Edmund, who has his own set of issues of loneliness having lost his family through his dedication to his job. Lori’s parents want to pay the ransom but America doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.
When Lori feels she can endure no more, she reacts against her captors and finds an unexpected source of help from within the terrorist camp. The final encounter between the terrorists and the extract team is bloody and ultimately cleansing for Lori and Jeff as they struggle to find a way to come to terms with their pasts.
If this sounds of interest, you can buy the kindle version for just $2.99 here.
The book sounds like it has a great plot. I’m sure it’s an engaging read. I struggled when I first started using rice papers. I think they’re something you have to get used to using. I love these rice paper rolls. Such a good entree for dinner parties or great pass-around food for a stand-up event xx
I actually found the rice papers easier to work with than I thought they would be. It’s important not to wet them too much or they turn to mush and are hard to fold and roll. I found that out the hard way.
I’ve not used rice papers before – sounds like something I should someday. Nice dish, and congrats on the 2nd book being out!
Thanks, John. I’ve just put up the third book. I have always loved working with wonton wrappers but I can’t have them any more so I have turned to rice papers and they are almost as good.
Wow, Suzanne you are such a prolific writer. Congratulations on your second book, and cheers to many more. I’m glad you tried the rice paper, I love them and they work great. Your rolls sound really good. Giving them a pin to try out soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Nancy. I must try out some other fillings now I have mastered them.
I too was suprised at how easy it was to use rice paper – I had been terrified of going close to them for years, then one day I just decided to do it, and it left me wondering what all the fuss was about!
I recently read an article by My New Roots (another favourite blog) where sarah used the rice papers to make samosas and popped them into the oven! I love the idea and how they looked and thought you might too 🙂 Here is the link:
https://mynewroots.org/site/2013/05/fully-loaded-spring-samosas/
I actually saw that post on My New Roots and it got me thinking. Maybe next time I will try roasting them like that. Thanks for reminding me.
Thai flavors are some of my favorite too.
I try to throw a Thai slant on all savoury food. I always have red chillies and ginger in the fridge.
I love rice paper rolls! They’re so healthy and delicious!
I love that they are healthy and taste so good while being gluten-free.
I have only used rice paper once, but I think I used too much water as they were a disaster!! My husband gets migraine especially from pork so I wondered if you could use beef or chicken mince instead?
You do have to work quickly with the rice papers once you have wet them. Absolutely use any meat you want. You can completely create your own parcels.