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Do not form the spring rolls more than thirty minutes before cooking, or the filling may seep through the wrapper dough.You can use the crispy spring roll wrappers found in Asian or specialty food stores, but they say it's fine to use the soft egg roll wrappers found in most grocery stores in place of the spring roll wrappers. You will need enough oil to fill half a wok or fryer: the amount of oil will vary depending on the size of the pan. This recipe calls for soybean oil, but you can substitute with corn oil, sunflower oil, or peanut oil to fry the rolls.

For the filling

• 4 ounces bean thread noodles (also called cellophane or sai fun noodles)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup soybean, corn, safflower, or peanut oil, plus 3-4 cups for frying rolls
• 1/2 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced (approximately 1 1/2-2 cups)
• 1 (12ounce) can thinly sliced bamboo shoots
• 2 carrots, peeled and julienne
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu, drained and crumbled, or 1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled, de-veined, and cut into thirds, or a combination
• 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1/2 cup fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

For the seame soy dipping sauce

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced scallion

For the spring rolls

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 package spring-roll wrappers

1. To make the filling: Soak the bean thread noodles in hot water to soften, according to package directions.
2. Heat 1/4-1/2 cup vegetable oil in a wok over medium high to high heat. Saute the cabbage, bamboo shoots, carrots, and mushrooms 5-7 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat.
3. Drain the noodles, chop coarsely (approximately 3 inches in length), and add with the tofu, if using, to the vegetables. Add the cilantro, sugar, sesame oil, and fish sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Place the filling in a strainer or colander set over a bowl. Place in the refrigerator approximately 15 minutes, until the filling is completely cooled and all the liquid is drained. You may have to press down on the mixture to extract the excess moisture.
5. To make the dipping sauce: Place sauce ingredients in a bowl and stir. Set aside.
6. Remove the filling from the refrigerator. Add the shrimp, if using, and stir to combine.
7. To assemble the spring rolls: Place the beaten egg in a bowl and have a pastry brush handy. Place a spring roll wrapper on a work surface, with one point facing you. Spoon 1/4 cup of the filling near the bottom corner in an oblong shape. Fold the bottom corner of the center and then fold in the sides and pull tightly together. Brush the point farthest from you with a small amount of beaten egg to allow the wrapper to adhere to itself once it is rolled. Roll like a carpet and press gently to seal. Repeat with the remaining filling and wrappers.
8. Pour at least 3 inches of vegetable oil into a pot for deep frying and heat to 350 degrees F. Add the spring rolls in batches and fry 2 to 3 minutes, until crisp and light brown. Drain well on brown paper or paper towel and serve immediately with the dipping sauce or keep warm in the oven.

These are excellent ideas when you need a complete meal gift for a loved one who is ill or having a rough time.

Another good use of soy is this recipe for Clams and Vegetables in Soy Sauce - Hamanabe.

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind
• 1 tablespoon lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1 pound beef grilling steak (1 inch thick)

For the salsa:

• 1 cup halved strawberries
• 1 cup whole blueberries
• 2 tablespoon liquid honey
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves
• 1 small japapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon grated ginger

In a food processor, combine berries, honey, vinegar and mint leaves. Process until coarsely chopped. Stir in jalapeno and ginger. (Salsa can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours). In a small bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice, grated citrus rinds, mustard, salt and pepper. Spread mixture onto both sides of steak. Place steak on greased grill over medium high heat; close lid and cook turning once, for 5 to 7 minutes per side. (Or longer if you like your steak well done). Transfer to platter; tent with foil and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve steak with a spoonful of fresh berry salsa made from organic fruit.

These are excellent ideas when you need to cook a complete meal gift for a loved one.

For another Summer steak idea, try this recipe for Summer Steak Kabobs.

Now here's a recipe that you wouldn't expect from us. It's not the usual gourmet cookies recipe, or all about trifles. But it's just as delicious.

Note: If you prefer a spicier filling, you might want to add additional black pepper or your favorite diced chilies to the beans or rice.

For the beans

• 1 (16 ounce) bag dried pinto beans
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (14-1/2 ounce) cans chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 (14-ounce) soup cans of water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Follow the directions on the back of the bag for cleaning and soaking the beans. Drain water.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the beans, onion, garlic, broth, and water. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2 1/2-3 hours, until beans are plump and soft, stirring often. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For the rice

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup minced onion
• 1/3 cup minced bell pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce stirred into 1 1/2 cups water

1. Pour the oil into a large skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, and rice and sauté over medium heat until rice is lightly toasted.
2. Add the broth and tomato sauce water. Bring to a boil and covered. Reduce heat to simmering or rice will be mushy.
3. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Carefully fluff with a fork.
4. Heat tortillas according to package directions

For the burritos

• 8 large (at least 10-inch) flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (optional)

1.      Place tortilla on a flat surface. Mound 1/4 cup rice, 3/4 cup bean mixture, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese (if desired) on one side of tortilla, leaving enough tortilla to cover the filling when you fold it over. Fold once over filling, tucking edge under filling. Alternate folding in each side of the tortilla as you roll, and tightly roll into a bundle. Repeat process for remaining tortillas.

2.      If desired, serve with sour cream, salsa, and avocado.

If you're up for more food from across the border, here is a wonderful taco recipe you're sure to enjoy.

When it comes to fish, our industry is usually dealing with fishermen gift baskets or shaped cookies. But this time around, we're offering up a delicious recipe for serving cod! Read up!

• 1 well packed cup of desalted cod
• 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tbs. chopped parsley
• 1 recipe Fritter batter
• ½ cup olive oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Shred cod with fingers. Chop well with garlic and parsley. Add to batter, stir, and salt to taste. (This much may be done a day in advance.) Heat enough olive oil in a large frying pan to cover the bottom to a depth of ¼ inch (about 1 cup). When oil begins to smoke, drop in cod mixture off teaspoon and fry until well browned, turning once. Total frying time will be 10 to 15 minutes. Drain on brown paper before serving.Note: The finer you shred and chop the cod, the smoother the fritters will be. However, some prefer fritters with coarse flakes of cod. It is entirely a matter of taste.

For another delicious fish recipe, follow these directions for Fried Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce.

If you're tired of making chicken the same old way, then here is a new recipe to help zest things up a bit!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 pound chicken flattened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Grated zest of one lemon
• Juice of one lemon
• 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 teaspoon water.
• 4 cups shredded romain lettuce
• 1 scallion thinly sliced.

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the oil. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and sauté until cooked through. In a small saucepan, combine broth, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar, garlic and remaining salt; bring to a boil. Stir in cornstarch and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds until thick. Arrange the lettuce on a platter. Top with chicken, then sauce. Sprinkle with the scallions.

Not quite the gourmet desserts recipe you'd expect from us, but equally delicious!

For more delicious chicken recipes, try some of the following:

• Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Fried Chicken
• Chicken Kiev
• Honey Lime Cilantro Chicken
• Chicken Curry
• Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms
• Chicken Caesar Pita Pocket