Char Siu Spring Rolls

Posted by Dana Oshiro char siu springrolls.jpg

As in all reality shows where producers pre-decide the winner, good has triumphed over evil and Stephanie Izard is Top Chef Chicago. In honour of her triumph I am riffing on one of her recipes - her spring rolls. My recipe calls for the addition of water chestnuts, bamboo and the substitution of store bought char siu or Chinese bbq roasted pork. Char siu is basted for several hours in soy, honey, hoisin, Chinese five spice and sherry. Sorry Top Chef, but Dana has all the right moves.

RECIPE: CHAR SIU SPRING ROLLS
Ingredients:
1/4 lb char siu pork, chopped into bite size strips *
1 cup water chestnuts, diced
1/4 lb shiitakes, julienned
1 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
2 heads bok choy, julienned
1 shallot, minced
1 cup cabbage, shredded
1T fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1T soy
1t honey
2t sambal
1t rice vinegar
canola oil (enough to fry in wok)
1 package spring roll wrappers
1 egg yolk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup water

Directions
1. FILLING: Heat sauté pan; add oil. Cook garlic and shallots and sweat until shallots are translucent. Add shiitakes and cabbage and sauté until tender. Season with salt and pepper; let cool. Toss in char siu, bok choy, 1t sambal and remaining ingredients except for yolk. Season to taste.
2. WRAP: Place wrapper on clean surface. Stir yolk with finger or brush; coat outer edge of two sides of wrappers. Place 1/4 cup of filling in center and spread out to create half inch log. Fold bottom corner towards top over filling and pull back until snug. Fold in both sides and roll to create spring roll.
3. FRY: Heat oil in large wok. Oil is ready when oil bubbles around the edges of a chopstick or skewer. Submerge roll in wok.
4. SAUCE & SERVE: Mix 1t sambal with rice vinegar and serve.

*INTIMIDATION FACTOR: ORDERING THE CHAR SIU
If you're like me and you don't speak Chinese, standing in a dim sum or Chinese butcher line is incredibly scary. You have to ask yourself, are you willing to be mildly humiliated for what might possibly be the next big flavor adventure of your life? Of course you are. You read food blogs. To the left is a photo of your target. You can also purchase bbq duck or char siu chicken from most butchers as well. He/She will probably offer to chop up your choice and it should cost no more than $10. Bring cash.