I cannot make rice paper rolls with thinking of a man my Husband and I absolutely love. We were talking about him the other day, we talk about him a lot, my husband said ‘best bloke ever’. I had to agree. How lucky we are to have him as one of our closest friends. At the beginning he was my husband’s best mate, that is how I met him, but I soon made my husband share.
When we all lived in the same isolated town he would surprise me with city living treats he had made. He would appear at my door with platters of rice paper rolls and sushi. Mine never taste as good as his. As I stand at my bench assembling these little delicacies, I reminisce about the chats, the laughter, the hugs and all of the fun times we shared.
He is one of those friends who are like an old favourite coat, comforting, warm and always familiar.
He brings out the best in my husband, on so many levels. He makes him laugh, he helps him understand me, he keeps everything in perspective. He also brings out the best in me. He gave me confidence and taught me self-acceptance, he has given me more than I can ever thank him for.
He is a man who gives tirelessly. A man who deserves every happiness, every success, every joy that comes his way. A man who we will never stop missing.
Rice Paper Rolls
1 mango, slice the flesh into strips
400 grams of cooked chicken, sliced into strips or roasted cashews for a vegetarian option
1 ripe avocados, flesh sliced into strips
1/2 lettuce, shredded
10 sheets of rice paper
Dipping Sauce (optional)
2 tablespoon tamari
1 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
Ok, I am still learning when it comes to writing up our meals, I just make them. I must get better at taking notes and writing instructions. I shall do my best today and I will practise. I welcome any feedback.
Once all of your ingredients are prepared half fill your sink or a large bowl with warm water. Place a lightly dampened tea towel next to your water. Place one sheet of rice paper into the water at a time. Let it soften, this takes around 25 seconds. Remove the sheet and lie it flat on the damp towel. Imagine you have divided the sheet, horizontally, into quarters. In the second quarter assemble the ingredients in a horizontal line, leaving room at the sides to enclose the filling. Per roll I do two strips of chicken, two strips of avocado, two strips of mango, and top with the shredded lettuce. Gently roll the first quarter of the paper up to cover the filling, enclose the two sides and continue rolling. Once completed set aside and start again. These are actually very quick and easy once you get the hang of it.
To make the dipping sauce combine the two ingredients.
Enjoy.