Yum, yum, give me some....Shrimp Spring Rolls

My husband and I often frequent a local Vietnamese restaurant in D'Iberville, MS.  We love the authentic cuisine they offer because everything is SO fresh!  Many of the dishes come with a side plate full of fresh bean sprouts, basil, limes, and cilantro.  One of my favorite little appetizers is the spring roll.  This spring roll is fresh- NOT fried.  Usually, they are packed with some type of meat (like shrimp or pork), shredded lettuce and carrots, and fresh basil.  The texture of the spring roll wrapper is almost chewy, but easy bite through.  I love fun textures when I'm eating! 

About a year ago, I stumbled across the spring roll wrappers sold in one of the Vietnamese grocery stores in town, but I've also found them at local grocery stores in the oriental cuisine section.  So, I started making them myself, and they are so good!  The other night, we made shrimp spring rolls...here's the yummy recipe!

Shrimp Spring-Into-Action Rolls:
Spring Roll Wrappers
Chopped or Shredded Lettuce
Fresh Basil
Fresh Gulf shrimp
Garlic
Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (optional)
Siracha Sauce (optional...sold at Walmart, known as Rooster sauce as well)

First, you will need to prepare the shrimp.  In a skillet on medium heat, drizzle a small amount of olive oil in the pan and add some fresh garlic.  Let the garlic simmer so that the flavors are released.  (Or you can use boring garlic powder, and add to the shrimp).  Once the garlic just starts to brown, add your shrimp and spices.  Let the shrimp cook (shrimp is cooked when the flesh is solid white, not transparent).  (I also added some chopped cabbage at this time and let it cook down for a couple of minutes..but that's because I had it on hand, so it's not totally necessary) Now, put the shrimp off to the side and let it cool.  Cut up your lettuce and fresh basil, after you wash it of course! 

Now, for the wrappers.  The spring roll packaging should have directions on how to prepare them, but I'll give a brief summary as well.  Basically, take a pyrex dish large enough to fit one wrapper.  Fill it with hot water, only about 1" deep.  Take one wrapper and soak in the water.  Work it with your hands until it becomes limp and the texture dissappears.  On a clean dishtowel, pat it dry, then take it to your cutting board.  Pile in your shrimp, lettuce, and basil in the center, and wrap it up like an egg roll.  That's it! SO easy, and SO delicious.  Now, serve it with some soy sauce and siracha sauce!  Yum-yum, give me some!!