This Vietnamese pork rice rolls hack is a game-changer for me! It’s not the traditional bánh cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), but it saves a lot of time and does its job whenever I crave it.
What is Bánh Cuốn?
“Bánh Cuốn” translates to “rolled cake” in Vietnamese. Traditional bánh cuốn is made from a rice batter, then steamed, and stuffed with a filling that consists of ground pork, wood ear mushroom, and onions. It is cooked and rolled one by one and topped with assorted toppings.
The Art of Creating Bánh Cuốn
Bánh Cuốn’s delicate and thin rice paper wrappers are the hallmark of this dish. A mixture of rice flour, water, and a pinch of salt is spread thinly on a cloth-covered steamer to make them. The steamer is placed over boiling water, allowing the batter to cook into a thin, translucent sheet. The skilled hands of the Banh Cuon artisans play a crucial role in achieving the perfect consistency and texture of the rice paper.
Why The Short Cut Version Works
While creating the perfect rice paper can be a skill, a handy hack can simplify the process without compromising taste. The texture may be different from the traditional rice roll. However, it doesn’t lack flavor! In this article, we’ll explore a rice paper hack for Bánh Cuốn that will help you easily create these delightful rolls, allowing you to enjoy this Vietnamese delicacy in the comfort of your kitchen.
The Rice Paper Hack Unveiled
Traditionally, making rice paper for Bánh Cuốn involves a steaming technique that requires skill and practice. However, you can achieve comparable results using store-bought rice paper wrappers with the rice paper hack. This hack saves time and effort, making Banh Cuon more accessible for home cooks and those new to Vietnamese cuisine.
Choosing the Right Rice Paper Wrappers
When selecting rice paper wrappers for your Banh Cuon, look for wrappers specifically labeled for fresh or spring rolls. These wrappers should be translucent, pliable, and slightly sticky when moistened. They can be found at any Asian grocery store, online, and at your local grocery store.
Preparing the Rice Paper Wrappers
To ensure the rice paper wrappers are pliable and easy to work with, it’s essential to follow a few simple steps:
a. Softening the Wrappers: Fill a shallow dish or a large plate with warm water and oil. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water, submerging it entirely for at least 30 seconds. It should be in the water longer than expected. Remove it from the water and place it on a clean, flat surface.
b. Handling Rice Wrappers: Handling rice paper can be tricky because it’s overly soft. However, after a few rolls, I finally found my groove and you will too! Just be patient when handling the rice rolls.
Filling and Rolling Banh Cuon
Once your rice paper wrappers are soft and separated, it’s time to fill and roll them with your desired ingredients. The traditional filling includes minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots, but feel free to experiment with other fillers to suit your taste preferences.
a. Add the Filling: Place desired filling on the lower third of the rice paper wrapper. Be careful not to overstuff, as it can make rolling challenging.
b. Rolling Technique: Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper over the filling. Then, fold in the sides of the wrapper to enclose the filling, creating a tight roll. Continue rolling upward until the entire wrapper is rolled into a neat cylinder.
Serving and Enjoying Bánh Cuốn
Once your Banh Cuon rolls are assembled, they can be enjoyed as is or served with various accompaniments. The traditional nuoc cham dipping sauce, along with pickled vegetables such as carrots and daikon radish, fried shallots, steamed beansprouts, cucumber, mint, and Vietnamese Steamed Pork are a few toppings you can add. Serve them as an appetizer, a light meal, or part of a Vietnamese-inspired feast.
With the Banh Cuon rice paper hack, you can embark on a culinary adventure and create these exquisite Vietnamese rice rolls in your kitchen. By using store-bought rice paper wrappers and following the simple steps outlined above, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicate flavors and textures of Bánh Cuốn without the need for extensive preparation. So, gather your ingredients, embrace your inner chef, and savor the joy of making and indulging in this Vietnamese culinary delight with ease.
Enjoy!
Easy Vietnamese Rice Rolls (Bánh Cuốn)
- Author: Tiffany Ly
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
“Bánh Cuốn” translates to “rolled cake” in Vietnamese. Traditional bánh cuốn is made from a rice batter, then steamed, and stuffed with a filling that consists of ground pork, wood ear mushroom, and onions. It is cooked and rolled one by one and topped with assorted toppings.
Ingredients
For the Rice Rolls:
- Store-bought rice paper wrappers
- Warm water + 2 tbsp neutral oil
For the Filling:
- 1lb ground pork or ground chicken
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp chicken boullion
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 medium sized yellow onion
- 1 oz woodear mushroom (soaked and chopped in tiny pieces)
- 4 cloves minced garlic
For Serving:
- Nuoc cham dipping sauce
- Pickled vegetables (carrots, daikon radish, etc.)
- Steamed bean sprouts
- Cucumbers
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Thai basil
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Fried shallots
Instructions
- Soften the Rice Paper Wrappers:
- Fill a shallow dish or a large plate with warm water and oil
- Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water, submerging it completely for 30 seconds
- Remove the rice paper from the water and place it on a clean, flat surface.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a skillet or pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add minced pork, fish sauce, chicken bouillon, oyster sauce, black pepper, and sugar. Cook until 80% done and add minced garlic, onions, and wood ear mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry for a few more minutes and set aside.
- Fill and Roll the Banh Cuon:
- Take a softened rice paper wrapper and place a small amount of the filling mixture on the lower third of the wrapper.
- Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper over the filling.
- Fold in the sides of the wrapper to enclose the filling, creating a tight roll.
- Continue rolling upward until the entire wrapper is rolled into a neat cylinder.
- Repeat the process with the remaining rice paper wrappers and filling ingredients.
- Lightly oil the plate and rolls so they don’t stick to each eachother.
- Steam for 2 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes covering it with a wet paper towel.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Arrange the Banh Cuon rolls on a serving platter.
- Serve them with nuoc cham dipping sauce and assorted vegetables and herbs.
Notes
Remember, feel free to adjust the filling ingredients or add other elements according to your taste preferences. The key is to have fun and create a dish that suits your culinary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: appetizer, Banh Cuon