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Braised Tofu Fresh Rolls with Rice Vermicelli

These Braised Tofu Fresh Rolls feature rice paper wraps filled with tofu braised in a Vietnamese caramel sauce, crisp veggies, nuts, and springy bundles of rice vermicelli.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce**
  • 2 shallots halved and sliced
  • 1 (1-inch) knob ginger minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 brick extra firm tofu Cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 150g (5oz) dried rice vermicelli
  • 1 Asian pear peeled, cored, and cut into batons
  • 3 small carrots peeled and julienned
  • 3 scallions dark green sections removed and set aside, light green and white sections finely chopped
  • ¾ cup roasted unsalted peanuts coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves tightly packed

Dipping Sauce

  • 1 tbsp sambal oelek
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tsp turbinado sugar
  • 2 tsp fish sauce**

Instructions
 

  • Pour 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar into a cold skillet. Turn the heat on to medium and wait for the sugar to dissolve and become liquid, shaking the pan occasionally. Swirl the pan frequently as you continue to heat the sugar until it turns a rich amber color
  • Once the sugar reaches its desired shade, immediately add 1/2 cup of hot water. The mixture will bubble violently, but it should subside quickly. Stir the caramel gently, encouraging any of the melted sugar that may have seized to melt into the mixture.
  • Pour in 3 tablespoons of fish sauce and then add your shallots, ginger, and garlic. Add the slices of tofu in a single layer. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your pan. Gently braised the tofu over low heat until completely saturated with the sauce, about 3-5 minutes per side. If you notice the pan start to look dry, add a few tablespoons of water and keep braising.
  • Transfer the finished tofu to a plate and pour the remaining sauce, shallots, garlic, and ginger over top. Set aside. 
  • While the tofu is braising, prepare your rice noodles. Place the rice vermicelli in a bowl and cover the noodles with a kettle’s worth of boiling water. Let soak for about 5 minutes before draining.
  • Fill a wide shallow vessel, like a pie plate, with warm water. Dip a rice paper sheet into the water until thoroughly saturated but still a little rigid. Transfer it to a wooden cutting board and press to lay flat.
  • Slice the tofu slices in half lengthwise and place both halves end to end in the center of the rice paper sheet. Next add a few pieces of the Asian pear, followed by a small handful of the carrot, and a piece of the dark green section of a scallion. Place some noodles on top and with finely chopped scallions, peanuts, and whole mint leaves.
  • Take the end of the rice paper sheet closest to you and fold it over the filling. Tuck in both sides of the rice paper sheet and roll the sheet away from yourself to form a seal. Transfer the roll to a plate and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining fillings.

For the Dipping Sauce

  • Place 1 tablespoon of sambal oelek in a small bowl. Add the lime juice, turbinado sugar, and fish sauce. Whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

** You can sub soy sauce for the fish sauce if you can't find it or you want to keep things vegetarian. 
Keyword fresh rolls, rice noodles, rice paper, tofu