Recipe: Petite Spring Rolls (with hoisin-plum dipping sauce)

PETITE SPRING ROLLS

FOR THE FILLING:
4 ounces rice vermicelli (rice sticks)
1 cup shredded Napa cabbage
1 medium carrot, finely shredded
1/3 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts or plain peanuts
3 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon snipped fresh mint
1 tablespoon oriental fish sauce or soy sauce
2 teaspoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon toasted toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
TO ASSEMBLE:
16 (8-inch) rice papers
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup plum sauce
1/4 cup water

TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
Cook vermicelli, uncovered, in boiling water for 2 minutes or just until limp. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well. Chop into short pieces.

Combine vermicelli, cabbage, carrot, and peanuts in a large bowl; set aside.

Combine cilantro, mint, fish sauce or soy sauce, cooking oil, sesame oil, and red pepper in another bowl; add to noodle mixture. Toss ingredients thoroughly.

TO ASSEMBLE:
Pour warm water into a large shallow dish. Dip 1 or 2 rice papers at a time into water; gently shake off excess. Place the wet rice papers between clean, damp, 100% cotton kitchen towels; let stand for 10 minutes.

Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the noodle mixture onto one rice paper, just below center of paper. Tightly roll filled rice paper up from bottom, tucking in opposite sides as you roll. Repeat with remaining papers and noodle mixture, covering rolls as you make them to prevent drying.

TO MAKE THE DIPPING SAUCE:
Combine hoisin sauce, plum sauce, and the 1/4 cup water.

TO SERVE:
Serve with spring rolls with dipping sauce on the side.

Note from source: These tender bites of rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs are traditionally served for New Years.

Makes 16 spring rolls
Source: Better Homes and Gardens