posted by jacqibay 06-30-102 9:02 PM 
 
Far East Spring Rolls 
(Vegetarian Times cookbook) 
2 large carrots 
1/2 bell pepper, julienned 
2 tablespoons chopped scallion (green and white parts) 
1 tablespoon virgin olive oil 
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro leaves 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
16 rice paper rounds, 6 inches in diameter 
2 cups cooked bean-thread noodles (6 oz dried), or rice noodles 
Using a vegetable peeler, shave off thin slices of carrot. Place the carrot shavings, red bell pepper, scallion, olive oil, cilantro and black pepper in a large bowl. Let sit for one hour. 
Fill a bowl with warm water, then dip each rice-paper round in the water until softened and translucent, about 10 seconds. Let the round drain briefly on a dishcloth. 
Place 2 tablespoons cooked noodles plus a few tablespoons of the carrot-pepper mixture about 1 inch from the lower edge of a piece of rice paper. Fold the bottom of the paper over the filling, fold both sides over the filling, then roll into a cylinder shape. Repeat with the remaining noodles, carrot-pepper mixture and rice-paper rounds. Place the spring rolls on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 30 min. Serve Cold. 
  
Serve with any of these dipping sauces.   
(from vegetarian times): 
1/3 cup rice vinegar 
1/3 cup soy sauce 
1/3 cup water 
2 tablespoons sesame oil 
1 teaspoon chili oil (or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper) 
 
Thai Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce 
 
1/2 cup cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar 
1/2 cup sugar 
4 large garlic cloves, mashed to paste with pinch of salt 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 1/2 teaspoons dried hot red pepper flakes 
In a small saucepan bring vinegar to a boil. Stir in sugar and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir garlic paste and red pepper flakes into vinegar. Cool. 
Serve sauce at room temperature in individual condiment bowls for dipping. 
Makes about 1/2 cup. 
  
 
Dipping Sauce: 
1/2 c rice wine vinegar 
1/4 c soy sauce 
2 tb honey 
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 
1 (1/2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped or grated 
1/2 c vegetable oil 
2 tb dark sesame oil 
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger until mixed. Gradually whisk in vegetable and sesame oils so the sauce emulsifies and thickens slightly; set aside. Sauce will separate on standing, so whisk just before serving.