Quick Spring Rolls with Thai Crystal Sauce

Here's another quick meal that a busy momma would sure appreciate, the sauce also called Nahm Jeem Gratien, is a sweet, spicy and garlicky addition to your delicious rolls. You can make a large batch since it keeps well in the fridge, use it with grilled chicken or fish, and the same with deep-fried fish. The sauce is actually a yummy accompaniment to any Asian appetizers. You can use spring roll wrapper as well , I just happened to have the egg roll on hand.

Ingredients:

Spring Roll :
1 1/2 lb ground pork
package of egg roll wrappers
1-2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 cup diced onion
2 tsp soy sauce
1/2 - 1 cup chopped celery
1/2- 1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp pepper
salt to taste
Canola or vegetable oil for frying

Thai Crystal sauce:
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup minced garlic
2 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes

Directions:

In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients except for the red pepper flakes . Let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the consistency resembles to a light corn syrup. Stir in red pepper flakes.

Let it cool and set aside or save in the fridge , (store in a jar) for later use.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan. Saute onions until transparent, mix in ground pork and garlic. Cook until no longer pink or when pork is " browned". In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil , pepper and salt if adding. Add the soy sauce mixture with the pork. Mix well.

In a large bowl with your chopped celery and shredded carrots, Mix in your cooked pork mixture. Stir well Let it slightly cool.

Lay the wrap (will look like a diamond shape in front of you). Place about 3 tbsp of the ground pork mixture . Fold the bottom part, roll it once , fold the left and right and roll. You can brush it up with a beaten egg to close it, I did skip this part.

Set aside on a clean plate and finish up the rest. Heat oil and fry the rolls, seam side down. Fry 2-3 minutes per side, be careful not to burn your roll.

Let it drain on a paper towel.

Serve with Thai crystal sauce.

Delicious! The next time you crave for Thai food, now you know you can whip up a big batch of the sauce and you can make a quick and easy spring roll.