Egg Rolls with Shrimp and Pork Recipe

Serves/Makes: 16 egg rolls

Ingredients:

• 16 ready-made egg roll wrappers (or homemade Egg Roll Wrappers if you prefer, see the recipe below)
• Shrimp and Pork Filling (see the recipe below)
• 3 cups peanut oil, or flavorless vegetable oil for deep frying

How to cook Egg Rolls with Shrimp and Pork:

• For each egg roll, shape about 1/4 cup of filling with your hands into a cylinder about 4 inches long and an inch in diameter, and place it diagonally across the center of a wrapper.
• Lift the lower triangular flap over the filling and tuck the point under it, leaving the upper point of the wrapper exposed. Bring each of the two small end flaps, one at a time, up to the top of the enclosed filling and press the points firmly down.
• Brush the upper and exposed triangle of dough with lightly beaten egg and then roll the wrapper into a neat package. The beaten egg will seal the edges and keep the wrapper intact.
• Place the filled egg rolls on a plate and cover them with a dry kitchen towel. If they must wait longer than about 30 minutes before being fried, cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator.

• Set a 12-inch wok or heavy deep-fryer over high heat, add 3 cups of oil and heat it until a haze forms above it or it reaches a temperature of 375°F (190°C) on a deep-frying thermometer.
• Place 5 or 6 egg rolls in the hot oil and deep-fry them for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they have become golden brown and are crisp. Transfer the egg rolls to a double thickness of paper towels and let the oil drain off while you deep-fry another batch of 5 or 6.
• Serve the rolls as soon as possible, arranged attractively on a large heated platter. If necessary, the egg rolls can be kept warm for an hour or so in a preheated 250°F (120°C) oven, or they can be reheated for about 10 minutes in a 450°F (230°C) oven.

Shrimp and Pork Filling Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound raw shrimp in their tails
• 1/2 pound fresh bean sprouts
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 pound lean boneless pork, finely ground
• 4 cups finely chopped celery
• 2 to 3 medium fresh mushrooms, cut into 1/4-inch slices (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine, or pale dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold chicken stock, fresh or canned, or cold water

How to cook Shrimp and Pork Filling:

• Rinse the fresh bean sprouts in a pot of cold water and discard any husks that float to the surface. Drain and pat them dry with paper towels.
• To crisp canned bean sprouts, rinse them under running water and refrigerate them in a bowl of cold water for at least 2 hours. Drain and pat them dry before using.
• Shell the shrimp. With a small, sharp knife, devein them by making a shallow incision down their backs and lifting out the black or white intestinal vein with the point of the knife. Using a cleaver or large knife, cut the shrimp into fine dice.

• Set a 12-inch wok or 10-inch skillet over high heat for 30 seconds. Pour in 1 tablespoon of oil, swirl it about in the pan and heat for another 30 seconds, turning the heat down to moderate if the oil begins to smoke.
• Add the pork and stir-fry for 2 minutes, or until it loses its reddish color. Then add the wine, soy sauce, sugar, shrimp and mushrooms, and stir-fry for another minute, or until the shrimp turn pink. Transfer the entire contents of the pan to a bowl and set aside.
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil into the same wok or skillet, swirl it about in the pan and heat for 30 seconds, turning the heat down to moderate if the oil begins to smoke.
• Add the celery and stir-fry for 5 minutes, then add the salt and bean sprouts, and mix thoroughly together. Return the pork and shrimp mixture to the pan, and stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the liquid starts to boil.
• There should be about 2 or 3 tablespoons of liquid remaining in the pan. If there is more, spoon it out and discard it.
• Give the cornstarch mixture a quick stir to recombine it, and add it, stirring until the cooking liquids have thickened slightly and coated the mixture with a light glaze. Transfer the entire contents of the pan to a bowl and cool to room temperature before using.

Egg Roll Wrappers Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cold water
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

How to cook Egg Roll Wrappers:

• Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. With a large spoon or your hands, gradually combine the flour and salt with the water, mixing until a stiff dough is formed.
• Knead the dough in the bowl for 5 minutes, or until it is smooth, then cover the bowl with a dampened cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and firmly roll it out until it is no more than 1/16 inch thick. With a cookie cutter, pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut the dough into 7-inch squares. When you have finished, there should be 16 squares.

Comment:
The Chinese name for the Deep Fried Wonton with Pork and Shrimp dish is Ch’un-Chuan.

Tips:
To Make Spring Rolls: Substitute 1 pound fresh, ready-made spring roll wrappers for the egg-roll wrappers. Prepare the filling according to the recipe already given, then assemble the rolls and deep-fry them as described above.
Because preparing spring-roll wrappers from scratch is so demanding and precise a culinary operation, even the fussiest Chinese cook prefers to use the ready-made variety.

This recipe for Egg Rolls with Shrimp and Pork serves/makes: 16 egg rolls

Main Ingredient: Shrimp
Preparation Method: Deep Fried
Cuisine: Chinese