Dried Shrimp and Scallion Rice Rolls
Commonly sold on Styrofoam trays at Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, these opaque white rice rolls flecked with orange dried shrimp and green scallion are a terrific southern Chinese snack. Purchased ones are seldom as tasty as homemade because producers tend to be skimpy with the dried shrimp, which give the rolls their oomph. These steamed rolls can be eaten as is, dipped in sweet soy sauce. Or they can be panfried to a delicate crisp. When served with other dishes, a few rolls are all you will need. For a light main course with a salad, double or triple the recipe.
To panfry the rolls, first cut each in half. Heat 2 to 3 teaspoons of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and panfry the rolls for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until lightly crisp and a bit golden. Cut the rolls into 1-inch pieces and serve on a plate with a drizzle of the sweet soy sauce, a shower of sesame seeds, and a side of chile garlic sauce.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 3 rolls, serving 4 to 6 as a snack or with 2 or 3 other dishes
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
In a small bowl, combine the dried shrimp and scallions. Set aside near the stove.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in “How to Make Rice Sheets” on page 155 to prepare each rice sheet. After pouring the batter into the baking pan and spreading it out to cover the entire surface of the pan, let the batter set for 5 to 10 seconds. Then sprinkle one-third of the shrimp and scallion mixture on the surface. Cover and cook the rice sheet for 5 minutes, or until translucent and set.
Step 3
Remove the pan from the steamer tray or pot, if poaching, and cool for 2 to 3 minutes on a rack, until cool enough to handle the rice sheet. Meanwhile, lightly oil a plate. Remove the rice sheet from the pan as directed on page 155 and place it on a work surface with the smoother bottom-side down. Gently roll up the rice sheet as you would a scroll of paper. If you roll it up too tightly, it will be too heavy, so leave it loose in the center. Aim for 1-inch-diameter rolls. Place the finished roll on the prepared plate, seam side down, before making another one, washing and drying the pan first. If you are not serving the rolls right away, lightly coat them with oil to prevent drying, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for up to 4 hours. They can be refrigerated but will harden, and the best way to revitalize them is by panfrying.
Step 4
Serve the rolls at room temperature. Or, warm them by steaming them for about 2 minutes, if needed. Use a knife to cut them into 1-inch pieces and return them to their plate. Drizzle on the sweet soy sauce and finish with a sprinkling of the sesame seeds. Present with the chile garlic sauce.
