Sarah Brown
Spring rolls are a popular dish in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. They are generally filled with vegetables and meat, such as beef or pork, and can be fried or baked. While spring rolls typically contain vegetables and meat, some variations include mushrooms. For example, Vietnamese spring rolls may include oyster mushrooms, while other recipes feature Portabella mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms. These mushroom spring rolls offer a vegetarian or vegan alternative to traditional spring rolls, showcasing the versatility of this dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cuisine | Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian |
| Wrapper | Rice paper, flour wrappers, wonton wrappers |
| Fillings | Vegetables, ground beef, pork, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, lemon zest, garlic, green chillies, cabbage, coriander, hot sauce, salt, pepper, etc. |
| Cooking Technique | Deep-fried, baked |
| Served As | Appetizer, snack |
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What You'll Learn
Spring rolls are a Chinese, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian dish
Spring rolls are a dish commonly found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. They are rolled appetizers or dim sum, and their specific ingredients and cooking techniques vary depending on the region's culture.
In Chinese cuisine, spring rolls are typically savoury rolls filled with vegetables, particularly cabbage, and meat, especially pork. They are usually eaten during the Spring Festival in mainland China, which is how they got their name. Chinese spring rolls are often deep-fried and crispy, and can be either sweet or savoury. Sweet varieties often contain red bean paste, while savoury ones are prepared with vegetables. In Quanzhou, Fujian province, spring rolls are made with oysters, fish balls, tofu, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, peas, cabbage, and water chestnuts, and are wrapped in a soft pancake with a sweet and sour sauce.
Vietnamese spring rolls, on the other hand, are typically smaller and may contain ground or chopped meats or seafood such as pork, crab, shrimp, chicken, taro, or cassava. They are often served with dipping sauces such as nước chấm, tương xào, or hoisin peanut sauce. Vietnamese restaurants in Western countries may use egg spring roll wrappers instead of the traditional rice paper due to unavailability or ease of use.
Spring rolls are also popular in other Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Cambodian spring rolls are usually fried only once and filled with minced pork or chicken, while Thai and Filipino spring rolls are known as "lumpia."
Spring rolls have also spread to Western countries, with variations found in Australia, Europe, and the Americas. For example, Australians have their own version called the Chiko Roll, while in the United Kingdom, spring rolls are sometimes known as "pancake rolls." Spring rolls have also been introduced to countries like the Netherlands and Belgium by immigrants from Indonesia, a former colony of the Netherlands.
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They can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian
Spring rolls are versatile and can be made vegetarian or non-vegetarian. They are a rolled appetizer or dim sum commonly found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. The kind of wrapper, fillings, and cooking techniques used, as well as the name, vary considerably depending on the region's culture.
Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Vegetarian spring rolls are a delicious option for those who do not consume meat. They are typically made with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms. The vegetables are usually shredded or julienned, and the herbs commonly used include basil, cilantro, and mint. The mushrooms can be oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, or a combination of both. These ingredients are seasoned and sautéed before being rolled into flour wrappers or rice paper. Vegetarian spring rolls can be fried or baked, resulting in a crispy texture. They are often served with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce, on the side.
Vietnamese spring rolls, also known as summer rolls or salad rolls, are a popular vegetarian option. They are typically consumed as a cold appetizer and are not baked or fried. Instead, they are wrapped in rice paper and filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, rice vermicelli noodles, and crispy mushroom shreds. These spring rolls are a delicious and healthy option that can be easily prepared at home.
Non-Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Non-vegetarian spring rolls typically include meat, such as ground or chopped beef, pork, or chicken. Seafood options like shrimp and crab are also popular, especially in Vietnamese imperial rolls. In addition to the meat or seafood, non-vegetarian spring rolls may also contain vegetables, mushrooms, and glass noodles. The filling is then wrapped in a wrapper, such as rice paper or pastry, and fried until golden and crispy. These spring rolls are often served as appetizers or snacks and can be found in various cuisines worldwide, including Chinese, Australian, and Cambodian.
It's important to note that the versatility of spring rolls allows for endless combinations of fillings and ingredients. They can be customized to suit personal preferences and dietary restrictions, making them a popular choice for appetizers, snacks, or even main courses.
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They can be baked or fried
Spring rolls are a popular dish in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. They are typically filled with vegetables and meat, most commonly pork or beef. Spring rolls can be fried or baked, depending on your preference.
Deep-fried spring rolls are common in Cambodia, China, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In these countries, spring rolls are often served as a street food or appetizer, with a dipping sauce on the side. The filling for fried spring rolls is usually cooked before being wrapped in a thin pastry and fried until crispy.
Baked spring rolls are a healthier alternative to fried spring rolls. They are made by filling a spring roll wrapper with a mixture of ingredients, sealing it with a beaten egg, and then baking it in the oven. Baked spring rolls can be made in advance and frozen, making them a convenient option for those who want to prepare a large batch.
The cooking time and temperature for baked spring rolls vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispness. Some recipes call for baking at 200°C/400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, while others suggest a lower temperature of 180°C/350°F for a similar amount of time. It is important to ensure that the spring roll wrappers do not dry out during baking, as this can cause them to crack or burst.
Spring rolls can also be cooked in an air fryer, which is a smaller, more compact alternative to a traditional oven. Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, creating a crispy texture similar to deep-frying but with less oil. This method of cooking spring rolls allows for a crunchy texture without the need for deep-frying.
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Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are common
Spring rolls are a popular dish in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. They are generally filled with vegetables and meat, such as beef or pork, and are usually fried. However, there are many variations of spring rolls, and they can also be made without meat, as an appetizer or snack.
Oyster mushrooms are also used in Vietnamese spring rolls, which are typically made with rice paper wrappers and filled with fresh vegetables and herbs, such as basil and mint, along with rice vermicelli noodles. The mushrooms are often marinated and baked before being used as filling. Some recipes also include shiitake mushrooms in Vietnamese spring rolls.
In addition to oyster and shiitake mushrooms, other types of mushrooms can be used in spring rolls as well. For instance, a recipe for pork and mushroom spring rolls calls for shiitake mushrooms, while another recipe suggests using Portabella mushrooms. The versatility of spring rolls allows for creativity in the choice of fillings.
Overall, oyster and shiitake mushrooms are popular choices for spring rolls, offering a range of flavours and textures that complement the other ingredients. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, spring rolls with oyster and shiitake mushrooms can be a delicious and versatile option.
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They are served with a variety of sauces
Spring rolls are a versatile dish, with variations in the wrapper, fillings, and cooking techniques depending on the region. They are commonly found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. While spring rolls are typically associated with vegetables and meat fillings, mushroom spring rolls are also popular. These mushroom spring rolls can be served with a variety of sauces, adding extra flavour and moisture to the dish.
In Mexico, spring rolls are known as "chunkun", and they are typically served with ketchup topped with a dot of hot mustard as a dipping sauce. Moving south to Argentina and Uruguay, spring rolls are commonly served with a small bowl of sweet and sour sauce for dipping. This sweet and sour sauce adds a tangy and fruity flavour to the spring rolls.
In Vietnam, spring rolls are often served with a variety of sauces such as fish sauce, oyster sauce, or soy sauce. These sauces provide a savoury and umami flavour profile to the spring rolls. Additionally, Vietnamese spring rolls can also be served with a dipping sauce made from lemon zest, ginger, and chervil or tarragon. The combination of these herbs and spices creates a unique and refreshing taste that complements the spring rolls.
Mushroom spring rolls can also be served with sweet chilli sauce, providing a sweet and spicy kick. This type of sauce is commonly paired with vegan spring rolls, adding a burst of flavour to the dish. The versatility of spring rolls extends to the sauces they are served with, allowing for customisation and a range of flavour profiles to suit different preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Spring rolls are versatile and can be made with various ingredients. While mushrooms are not a typical ingredient in Chinese spring rolls, they are commonly found in Vietnamese spring rolls, along with other vegetables and meat or seafood.
Oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms are commonly used in spring rolls.
Spring rolls are generally filled with vegetables and meat or seafood. Common vegetables include cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Popular meat options include ground beef, pork, and chicken.
Spring rolls can be fried, baked, or consumed raw as a cold appetizer. Fried spring rolls are typically deep-fried in oil until golden brown and crispy. Baked spring rolls are brushed with oil and baked in the oven at around 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes.
