Recipe: Chinese Deep Fried Spring Roll

Every Asian culture has their own way of making a spring roll, let us teach you ours

The spring roll is widespread throughout Southeast and East Asia, though different countries may make it differently.

The basic form of spring roll is made by placing fillings on a thin dough sheet, then rolling it into a cylindrical shape. Some spring rolls are fried while some are not.

Its name is said to originate from an ancient custom called “biting spring” that takes place on the first day of spring. People would wrap raw vegetables with dough sheets to make spring cakes or spring rolls to share. This is a prayer for good health and is said to chase away bad luck. The spring roll thus acquired its name and eventually became a widespread daily snack.

Ingredients

200g                       spring roll skin

Filling

2 cloves                  garlic, chopped

500g                       bean sprout

100g                       mushroom, shredded

100g                       celery, shredded

Some                      ham, shredded

Seasonings

1 tbsp                    oyster sauce

1 tsp                      sugar

1 tbsp                    light soy sauce

Method

1. Heat oil and sauté garlic. Add mushroom, celery, ham and bean sprout to stir-fry until fragrant.
2. Add Seasonings and stir-fry until well combined.
3. Put the Filling on the spring roll skin, roll it up into cylinder. Seal the edge with water.
4. Put the spring rolls in heated oil and deep-fry till golden brown.

Recipe courtesy of Best of the Best (Taste of Home 滋味在我家). Available for purchase at Popular book stores.