I realize I write a weekly food blog and have hosted food classes in my home so it may seem to some that I know what I am doing in the kitchen. I do know my way around and enjoy making and eating yummy food but there are so many things I have never attempted for fear of intimidating ingredients or the process seems out of my realm.

 

I pulled some egg roll wrappers and a package of ground pork out of the freezer last week in hopes in trying my hand at making egg rolls. This is one of those times where I have always wanted to try but had a little fear that maybe this is one of those things I leave to my local take out joint. Boy was I wrong they couldn’t have been easier and tastier; plus I knew exactly what went in them. That in itself made me wonder why I took SO long to make them. Sometimes I cut open those tasty little packages and inspect what they put inside. Somethings are undetectable to the naked eye but they must be there for a reason. They add flavor or texture. I’ve always heard that you shouldn’t really look at your food. Not sure who said that but I always look at my food most times so I could potentially recreate the dish at home. 

 

I added to this week’s groceries list; fresh artichoke; this is another one of those ingredients that is a little intimidating to me but I have wanted to check it out. I do hope if you ever had an interest in making egg rolls with a couple of super simple dipping sauces. This one is easy and delicious!

Egg Roll

1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground garlic powder
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 quart peanut oil for frying
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
8 7 inch square egg roll wrappers

Season pork with ginger and garlic; mix thoroughly. Heat medium skillet with a little bit of oil, fry pork till no longer pink. Taste and adjust before you set aside

In a large skillet heat oil to 375 F degrees or medium high heat.

Combine water and flour in a small bowl to make a paste for closing the the wrappers

In a separate bowl combine the cabbage, carrots and pork mixture till combined.

Lay the wrapper with the corner pointed toward you. Place about ¼ cup of the mixture folding the corner over the pork, the fold left and right corners toward the center and roll to opposite corner. Brush a bit of the paste on the final corner to seal the edge of the egg wrapper.

Fry rolls, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels or a rack.

 

Honey Sesame Sauce – in a small mixing bowl add first 4 ingredients and top with last two

½ cup honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
Fresh ginger sliced thin
Toasted sesame seeds

Spicy Soy Sauce – in a small mixing bowl add first 3 ingredients and top with last two

¼ cup soy sauce
2 teaspoon chili sauce
1 teaspoon honey
Chopped green onions
Toasted sesame seeds

 

Egg roll adapted from allrecipes.com by Angela Hamilton
Asian dipping sauces Recipe by Culinary Ginger at http://culinaryginger.com/spring-egg-rolls-with-trio-of-asian/