Lobster Summer Rolls

Lobster Summer Rolls
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Total Time
About 1 hour
Rating
4(295)
Comments
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These Vietnamese-style rolls, from David Tanis, take a tiny bit of dexterity but fall under the kind of easier project cooking that yields big personal triumphs. Once you get the hang of tucking and rolling the rice-paper wrapper, the rest is simple. But, “if, despite your best efforts, your lobster rolls become unruly and fall apart, don’t despair,” he wrote back in 2013. “Just plop the perfectly good remains on a plate, drizzle with the dipping sauce and call it a rice noodle salad.”

Featured in: Summer Inspiration From Vietnam

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Ingredients

Yield:8 large rolls

    For the Summer Rolls

    • 1pound cooked lobster meat, diced
    • 2teaspoons grated ginger
    • Zest of 1 lime
    • ½cup slivered scallions
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1small cucumber, peeled
    • 2firm-ripe avocados
    • Rice paper wrappers, 12-inch rounds (or use 8-inch rounds)
    • 24large basil leaves
    • Cilantro sprigs from a small bunch
    • Lettuce leaves, optional

    For the Dipping Sauce

    • ½cup lime juice
    • 2tablespoons light brown or raw sugar
    • 1tablespoon grated ginger
    • 1teaspoon fish sauce
    • 1small Serrano or Thai chile, sliced
    • 1tablespoon roughly chopped roasted peanuts
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

156 calories; 8 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 403 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the summer roll filling: In a small bowl, combine lobster meat, ginger, lime zest and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, toss to coat and set aside. Slice cucumber lengthwise into thin julienne strips. Quarter and peel avocados.

  2. Step 2

    Fill a medium bowl with lukewarm water. To make each roll, dip a rice paper round into water until just softened, then remove and spread flat on a cutting board. (If you are using 8-inch rounds, dip 2 rounds for each roll, then overlap them as you spread them flat on a cutting board.)

  3. Step 3

    Lay 2 or 3 basil leaves along the bottom third of the softened rice paper round, then spread round with 2 ounces lobster mixture. Top with a few strips of cucumber and ¼ of an avocado cut in chunks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and press down to compress, then add a few cilantro sprigs.

  4. Step 4

    To roll up, fold sides of rice paper round toward its center, overlapping filling by an inch or so. Now, starting at bottom of round, begin to form a tight cylinder, rolling toward top. Repeat to make rest of the rolls. Put on a tray, cover and refrigerate for an hour.

  5. Step 5

    Make the dipping sauce: Mix together lime juice, sugar, ginger, fish sauce and chile. Let macerate at least 30 minutes.

  6. Step 6

    To serve, carefully cut each roll into 3 or 4 pieces, and stir chopped peanuts into dipping sauce. Place rolls on lettuce leaves, and serve with sauce.

Ratings

4 out of 5
295 user ratings
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Comments

When I used to make these for our restaurant (with chicken actually but same idea) I would cover them with a wrung out linen tea towel and then plastic wrap. This keeps them moist and the linen doesn't stick to them like plastic wrap can.

I substituted cooked shrimp for the lobster - it was great!
Makes for a light & flavorful summery dinner. served with Rose.

@Haris: They taste best freshly rolled but can be made in advance. I would serve same-day, and not refrigerate longer than 6 hrs (wraps may harden and get chewy). A little mist of water will soften it. Remove 15-30 minutes before serving.

We made these in cooking class. Added gelatin to dipping sauce and then cubes in wrap. Not as messy and extra delicious…

These were fun to make and eat, but the dipping sauce overwhelmed the lobster. Next time I'll use shrimp or chicken and see how that works out.

Substitute crab for lobster.

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