How to Cook Rice Paper

Rice paper is used as the tasty wrapping around delicacies such as spring rolls, or is sliced to make glass noodles. It is delicate and if not prepared correctly, will tear or become overly chewy. Cooking rice paper requires a light touch, but once this is mastered, it is easy and fun to work with.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Hot water
• Rice paper wrappers
• Filling
• Frying pan
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Prepare a bowl of hot water. Make it as warm as you can stand to touch, as you will be placing your hands in it.

2. Rice paper is very brittle, so use care when removing it from the package. Small tears are to be expected, but avoid large rips. Place a sheet of rice paper in the hot water for 30 seconds.

3. Remove the wrapper from the bowl and lay flat on your work surface. Place your filling near the edge of the wrapper. You can use any filling in your rice paper, as it has no flavor of its own and works primarily as a vessel to hold everything. Steamed vegetables cut into small pieces are a good and simple filling to use. Season them with your favorite herbs.

4. Fold either end of the wrapper over the filling then roll. Wet the end of the rice paper and seal shut. The rice paper wrapped morsels are now ready to eat, or you can fry them for a different texture.

5. Place 2 tbsp. oil in a frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Place the wrapped parcels seam-side down in the oil and fry for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and place a lid on it. Allow to steam for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and eat.

Tips & Warnings

• Rice paper wrappers can be stored indefinitely, but they become more brittle with age. Seal small tears with a moistened finger.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• More than 25 spring roll filling recipes from Allrecipes.com