Six years ago, I was sitting on a beach in Thailand, sipping on a cold pint of Chang while playing a game of “what does that cloud look like.” Come to think of it, why don’t we play that game right now? I see a lounging dinosaur craning its long neck to the right and blowing steam out of its nostrils. What do you see?
Lately, I’ve been going through a lot of old photos from my ye olde travels. This one from Koh Tao was filed under a folder named “SPRING BREAKKK!!!” All the Ks and exclamation points are totally necessary.
During my trip to Thailand, I learned several important things:
1. The best fruit smoothies come from Thailand. They have the freshest, sweetest, most wide selection of tropical fruits I’ve ever tasted. Jamba Juice has nothing on them. More importantly, they go for about $1 to $2 a pop. I can’t even buy an orange for a dollar!
2. I’m not made for beachside dinners around sunset. Doesn’t it sound nice to have dine on the beach and while the sun slowly descends into the horizon? Sure, if you don’t mind the 1000+ mosquitos that are buzzing around your legs. I was downright mauled by mosquitos during that dinner. You know what was my travel buddies’ best mosquito repellant? ME. No matter how many layers of poison I sprayed on myself, those pesky critters came for me.
3. I can’t handle the whole monsoon season thing. Would you believe it if I told you that the photo below was taken only 2 hours before I took the photo of the dinosaur cloud? No, I didn’t feel the urge to pull a Gene Kelly “Singin’ in the Rain” number here.
4. Full Moon Party = overrated. All I remember is walking on the beach until 3 or 4 a.m., drinking out of a bucket of the cheapest, nastiest booze mixed with Coca Cola and a lot of ice. It was not a shining moment for me.
There’s a reason why I have been thinking about Thailand recently. I’m part of the Food Bloggers Central Facebook Group, and Nagi at Recipe Tin Eats came up with a great idea for us to do a blog hop and try another blogger’s recipe. I was paired with Michelle from Vitamin Sunshine. Michelle is based in Kuala Lumpur, and I can’t tell you how jealous I am of all the tropical food she gets to play with all the time.
Going through Michelle’s blog, the post that immediately grabbed my attention was her photo journal of Bangkok street eats. I miss the sight of fresh tropical fruits lining the streets. From afar, it looks like a wall of wonderful bright colors. I left my heart in Southeast Asia.
To rekindle the fond memories I have of Thailand, I decided to make these Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp with a few modifications. First, I added pickled vegetables, mainly because I enjoy the tangy flavors they add to spring rolls. I used this pickled vegetables recipe of mine. I also made a peanut dipping sauce instead of the almond version from Michelle’s recipe. Peanuts give off a slightly sweeter taste than almonds do, and sweetness is I want in my dipping sauce. Finally, I added strawberries because, well, why not? It’s spring, and I’m just happy that strawberries are sweet again. Let’s throw in some seasonal fare into these delights.
Friends, these spring rolls are legit. One bite, and it took me back to my tranquil, yet mosquito-filled, time in Thailand. Thanks, Michelle!
TOOLS + INGREDIENTS USED
- 22cm rice paper wrappers: These are fairly large wrappers. Don’t buy anything smaller because it will be difficult to try and bundle all the filling into the spring rolls. You can find them online, at Asian markets and occasionally in the Asian sections of major supermarkets.
- Light soy sauce (生抽酱油): You can also use tamari if you are on a gluten-free diet
- Rice vinegar: Not to be confused with seasoned rice vinegar, which usually contains sugar and is meant to season sushi rice.
LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO COOK WITH SHRIMP?
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Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound (450g) 21/25 count shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, use tamari, if gluten free
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
Spring Rolls
- 12 22 cm rice paper wrappers
- 1/2 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup (15g) fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 1/3 cups (140g) shredded red cabbage (about a quarter of a small head of cabbage)
- 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- pickled carrots and cucumber, recipe here
- 6 large strawberries, sliced
Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, I used a slightly salted one
- 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk, from the can
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- PREPARE THE SHRIMP: Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic, and let them cook for about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp, and cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp will be done when it looks orange and the shrimp has started curled inward. While the shrimp is cooking, stir the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and honey. Drizzle this sauce over cooked shrimp. Let the shrimp cool for at least 20 minutes.
- PREPARE THE SPRING ROLLS: Fill a bowl with lukewarm to warm water. Dip a sheet of rice paper wrapper and wet it entirely. The wrapper doesn’t have to be completely soft, just moist. It will continue to soften as you add more ingredients to it. Place the wrapper on a flat surface. Fill the wrapper with shrimp, a slice of strawberry, all the vegetables, 2 to 3 basil leaves, and a few cilantro leaves. Fold the lower half of the wrapper over the filling. Fold in the left and right sides toward the center. Continue rolling everything like you would a burrito. The spring rolls should seal nicely.
- PREPARE THE DIPPING SAUCE: In a small bowl, mix all the peanut sauce ingredients until well incorporated.
- Serve immediately and refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Vitamin Sunshine.
- If you have leftovers, store the rolls in an airtight container and refrigerate it. When you are ready to eat them again, microwave the spring rolls for about 15 seconds to soften the skin. The sauce will become quite thick once it is refrigerated. It will soften in room temperature, but if you are pressed for time, just microwave it for 15 seconds.
- If you are going to roll your spring rolls over a wooden board like I did, make sure to wet the board and reapply water once the board starts to dry up. This will help make the wrappers less sticky on the board.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
Yum– love the idea of using pickled vegetables. Sounds delicious! I think I will have to make these again very soon 🙂
Lisa says
They were sooo good! Thanks for the recipe, Michelle!
Joanne says
Going to Thailand is on my bucket list…mostly for the food, but also for the beautiful sights and culture!! Love your take on spring rolls…especially the strawberry infusion!
Lisa says
It’s sooo worth going! If I ever head back to that part of the world, I would also stop by Laos and take some cooking classes there!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Lisa, I SOOOOO want to visit Thailand one day .. ah, one day!!!! and I just made spring rolls. . I LOVE the addition of the strawberries here!!! these are gorgeous!! totally visiting Michelle’s blog now!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alice!! I know you have your young ones, but it’s sooo worth going to that part of the world, especially because you love food as much as I do…Definitely check out Michelle’s blog!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
These are hands down the prettiest spring rolls that I’ve seen! I love, love, love your addition of strawberries- yum!
Lisa says
Thanks, Sonali!!!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I sort of see a leaping gazelle looping backwards at the rest of his pack. Similar to yours, haha! And I totally agree. Thai everything is the best. I visited there in 2008 and it’s been one of my top 3 places I’ve ever been to!
Lisa says
Leaping gazelle! Totally see that too.
Gah, I wish I could go back to Thailand soon. Have you ever been to Laos? That’s on my top 10 places to visit!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Wow, I can only imagine what a smoothie in Thailand would be like! All those tropical fruits. These rolls look really good, I would never have thought to pair shrimp with strawberries!
Lisa says
Those smoothies were amazing!! Thanks, Kelly!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
beautiful pics!! This looks amazing <3
Lisa says
Thanks, Emily!!
Kristi Rimkus says
I love the addition of strawberry. I’ve never seen that before, but bet it goes very well with that sweet shrimp.
Lisa says
The strawberries worked really well in these spring rolls. Definitely give it a try, Kristi!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Thailand is SO beautiful and I’ve loved every visit because of all the amazing food and how kind the people are. And yes, monsoon season is pretty crazy! These spring rolls are gorgeous and I would love to try a veggie version of them! Love the addition of strawberries 🙂
Lisa says
A veggie version would sound great too! Thanks, Genevieve.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
We are planning a Thailand trip for next year…and we were definitely planning to skip the Full Moon party, so I am glad that’s a good idea!
And these rolls?! YES! I love that you added strawberries! Pinned!
Lisa says
Oh my gosh, can you take me with you?! I miss Thailand!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Ha! I’m terrible at the cloud game. I guess I have no imagination!! These rolls are so pretty. I’ve been putting strawberries in all manner of savory things lately. Can’t stop, won’t stop!
Lisa says
Oh yea, definitely doing the avocado bake in the next few days!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
OMG these are so pretty! I love hearing stories about people’s travels! Your photos are great!
Lisa says
Thanks, Aimee! So glad you like my random musings!
Melissa Falk says
These look beautiful and delicious. I would not have thought about pairing shrimp and strawberries but I guess the sweetness of both works really well. Thanks for the share!
Lisa says
Thanks, Melissa! Yes, I love the sweetness and juiciness that the strawberries added to the spring rolls. Hope you try them soon!
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, how fresh and wonderful. These look absolutely beautiful. I didn’t even know spring wraps could be served without being cooked. Saving this for later. Spring rolls are always fun to make. xo, Catherine
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Catherine!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love the use of strawberries in those spring rolls! They look awesome, Lisa.
Lisa says
Thanks, Angie!!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Love the idea of throwing strawberries in spring rolls! I usually grab a mango for my spring rolls, but next time I’ll have to pick up some strawberries! Also – I see a dolphin in the clouds. Lisa Frank-style;)
Lisa says
Oh my gosh, Lisa Frank!! I nearly forgot about my obsession with all those LF stickers, folders, and binders.
Lily Lau says
These look beyond fabulous, Lisa! Thanks for sharing this recipe withs us 😀
Lisa says
Thank YOU, Lily!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners says
I see a duck’s head (a loon) but his body looks like he’s a genie coming out of a bottle, lol. My father always said my imagination is out of this world!
Such a beautiful recipe, Lisa! I haven’t made spring rolls before but putting shrimp and strawberries in it has motivated me to try. Sharing on Tuesday Tidbits! Thanks so much 🙂
Lisa says
Haha, I love your imagination, Robyn! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Bam's Kitchen says
So Pretty Lisa! I love Thai infused flavours and pickled veggies inside sounds delightful.
Sarah@WellDined says
I’ve been drooling over these photos forever! I made my version with mango added to the pickled veg and rice noodles instead of cabbage. So fresh and delicious. I love the flavors of the shrimp and peanut sauce. Thank you!
Lisa Lin says
YUM! I love your variation of the spring rolls, Sarah! Thank you so much for trying this!
RG says
These look delicious but I’m confused. How can the spring roll have only 85 calories when the rice paper wrappers that you have a link to are are 238 calories per wrapper?
Lisa Lin says
Hi, RG. Actually the nutrition label says it’s 238 calories for 1/5 of the entire package, which includes 6 to 7 wrappers.