Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls)

Step 1

Remove the leaves from the herb and salad stems, then put them in a colander.

Step 2

Fill a sink or large bowl with cold water and add 3 tbsp salt. Add the greens in to wash, then soak for 3 minutes. Rinse clean and repeat the salted soaking another 2 times to remove the impurities.

Step 3

When finished, dry them in the colander until they're ready to use.

Step 4

Roll the pork belly along the length.

Step 5

Wrap twine or string around the belly to secure its shape, then tie a few knots to prevent it from comming undone as it cooks.

Step 6

Boil the meat in water for 1 hour or until soft, then take it out.

Step 7

Remove the string and slice into thin pieces.

Step 8

Boil a pot of water and cook the rice noodles for 10 minutes or until al dente. Make sure to stir every 3 minutes to prevent anything from sticking.

Step 9

When cooked, drain the water and run the noodles under cold water until cool. Let it drip dry in a colander.

Step 10

Organise your ingredients close to you before you even start rolling your Gỏi Cuốn. Keep the proteins and water closest to you, then noodles and herbs just behind them.Set up 2 plates side by side

Step 11

Dip the rice paper into the water until the entire surface is just wet. Make sure there is always another one wet and resting on the second plate.

Step 12

Lay the lettuce on the part of rice paper closest to you. Place the other herbs on top.

Step 13

Grab some noodles and place it over the herbs. The weight will help hold the greens down.

Step 14

Slide a few pieces of pork above the greens. Make sure to leave no gaps because they will show in the final roll.

Step 15

Place 2-3 prawns above the pork.

Step 16

Fold the left and right side of the rice paper toward the middle.

Step 17

Bring the bottom of the rice paper to the middle and begin rolling tightly, pressing down firmly with each roll.You can wedge a sprig of garlic chive along the length of the meat so that a part of it sticks out as a garnish.

Step 18

Serve the Gỏi Cuốn fresh as is with Peanut Hoisin Sauce or Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nước Mắm)!