Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
  • 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh gingerroot
  • a 1-pound salmon fillet about 1 inch thick, skinned
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon water, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh gingerroot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
  • twelve 6 1/4-inch rounds of rice paper*
  • 48 fresh coriander leaves (about 1/2 cup loosely packed)
  • 4 tablespoons finely chopped scallion greens
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • Garnish: Coriander sprigs
  • Rice paper is available at Asian markets.

Method

  • In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cut salmon crosswise into 12 pieces, each about 2 1/2 by 1 inch, and add to marinade.
  • Marinate salmon, turning pieces occasionally, 30 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients except coriander.
  • (Coriander will be added just before serving.)
  • Remove salmon from marinade and pat dry.
  • Fill a small shallow baking pan or cake pan with warm water.
  • Soak 4 sheets rice paper until very pliable, about 45 seconds.
  • Carefully, stack soaked sheets, 1 at a time, between single layers of paper towels to drain, ending with a rice paper.
  • Put 1 sheet of rice paper on a clean dry work surface, reserving dampened paper towel, and arrange 1 salmon piece crosswise on bottom half of sheet, leaving a 1-inch border on bottom edge and on each side.
  • Top salmon with about 4 coriander leaves, 1 teaspoon scallion greens, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Roll up filling in sheet, folding in sides after first roll to completely enclose filling, and continue rolling.
  • Wrap filled spring roll in reserved dampened paper towel to help form spring roll and keep it moist.
  • Make more spring rolls in same manner with remaining 3 soaked sheets.
  • Transfer assembled rolls in dampened paper towels to a tray and repeat procedure with remaining 8 rice paper sheets, 4 at a time, and ingredients.
  • Carefully unwrap 4 spring rolls from paper towels.
  • In a deep 12-inch non-stick heavy skillet, heat 1/4 inch oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and fry 4 spring rolls, turning once, until golden brown and salmon is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer spring rolls as fried with metal tongs to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.
  • Repeat procedure with remaining spring rolls.
  • Stir coriander into dipping sauce.
  • Serve spring rolls as an hors d'oeuvre or first course with dipping sauce and garnish with coriander sprigs.