An Unexpected Dinner Party

As promised I'm continuing to play with a selection of Gourmet Garden products as part of the Blog Off/ Cook Off competition.  Aside from the stand alone herb tubes, the range also includes special seasoning herb blends; I was thrilled to try the Thai seasoning with lemon grass, ginger, coriander and chilli.  I had a little taste test to get myself in the creative mood - wow what a burst of flavour!  Immediately I decided to make Nuoc Cham (dipping sauce) to accompany Vietnamese rice paper rolls.

If you want a fun, easy recipe when entertaining guests or something different for the family - Vietnamese rice paper rolls are always a winner.  Especially when it's last minute as most of the ingredients are staple.

Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

Rice paper rounds and a bowl of warm water to soften them

200g vermicelli, soak in cold water untill soft

150g bean sprouts

1 carrot, sliced into thin match sticks

1 cucumber, shaved into ribbons

1 capsicum, sliced thinly

1/2 green cabbage, roughly diced and sautéed in fry pan with some soy sauce

handful of fresh mint leaves

Nuoc Cham

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup fish sauce

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic

1 tbsp Gourmet Garden Thai Seasoning

1tbsp shallots, finely chopped

1 chilli, finely chopped, if you like it spicy

Combine all ingredients well and serve.  Feel free to add a bit more sugar if too tangy.

This should be enough for 4-6 people but it's easy to cut up more veggies if required.  Once you've prepared all the ingredients you are ready to go.  Arrange on a platter and set a plate and chopsticks at every position.  The idea is everyone helps themselves and makes their rolls from the ingredients in front of them.  That's the fun part! Oh and did I mention this is very healthy, plenty of nutrient rich fresh food! ;)