Egg rolls are one of many foods that should be made at home but rarely are. Most egg rolls suffer from two conditions: They are stuffed with filler that gets what little taste it has from fat and sodium, and they are soggy because they were cooked either improperly or too long ago. From the comfort of your own kitchen, you can cure both of these problems.
Use good fresh ingredients with plenty of flavor, cook them to crispy perfection and you can make delicious egg rolls at home. The best part of this recipe is that it is baked, not fried, meaning you don't have to feel guilty afterwards.
Crispy Baked Egg Rolls
Ingredients You Will Need:
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 scallions, minced
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ cup carrot, shredded
½ cup shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 cup cabbage, shredded
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cooked shrimp or pork, minced
20 won ton wrappers
Non-stick cooking spray
1 recipe chili dipping sauce (recipe follows)
Heat the peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, scallion and crushed red pepper, and cook for a minute or so until it gets very aromatic. Add the carrot, mushroom and cabbage, and turn the heat on high. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to brown. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce and salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables are tender. If they still aren't tender after the broth has evaporated, add a little water.
Take the mixture off the heat, and let it come to room temperature. Mix in the shrimp or pork, and fill your won ton wrappers. You will need about a tablespoon of filling per egg roll. This may seem like too little but, if you overstuff them, they might fall apart. Fill them by placing the mixture into the center of the wonton and folding the side nearest you over it. Fold over the left and right sides, as if you were making a burrito, and roll it away from you so that it forms a tube. Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray a cookie sheet with the non-stick spray. Place the egg rolls on the sheet, and spray the tops lightly with the non-stick spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the filling is piping hot. Serve immediately with the chili dipping sauce.
Chili Dipping Sauce
Ingredients You Will Need:
3 cloves garlic
½-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
2 Thai bird chilies
½ cup sugar
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons corn starch
Combine all but the corn starch and two tablespoons of the water in a blender. Puree until it is smooth and well combined. Place in a small pot set to medium-high heat, and bring to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer, in a small bowl or cup mix the remaining two tablespoons of water and the corn starch. Pour into the sauce, and stir to combine. This will cause it to thicken. Simmer for about a minute, and pour into a bowl for dipping.
 | Egg roll recipes are easy, though time consuming, but the results are usually worth it. If you're short on time, skip making the wrappers and purchase pre-made wrappers at the store instead. Practice your folding technique a few times before making the first batch. |
 | Egg rolls can be made from various ingredients and are great when served as a meal, as an appetizer or as a snack. Egg rolls are a delicious Asian food that vegetarians can enjoy, as they lend themselves to many different types of fillings. |
 | Let this pork egg roll recipe inspire your creativity. Egg Rolls lend themselves to being a creative dish. They can be served as a meal, as a side or as an appetizer. |
 | Folding egg rolls can be somewhat of a challenge if you've never done it before. Once you have mastered the technique, you can make numerous egg rolls quickly and easily. |
 | The key to a making a success out of any egg roll recipe is to freeze the egg roll wrappers, whether store bought or homemade. Freezing makes them easier to work with and helps to keep them from breaking apart during cooking. |
