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Sambal Prawn Roll: A Spicy and Delicious Snack

By Gabriela Esteban  •   5 minute read

If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make snack, you can't go wrong with sambal prawn rolls. These tasty treats are a popular Chinese New Year snack in Singapore and are sure to delight your taste buds.

With a crispy exterior and a spicy, flavourful filling, sambal prawn rolls are the perfect addition to any party or gathering.

To prepare the filling for your sambal prawn rolls, you'll need to start by making a sambal paste. This paste is made by blending together chillies, garlic, shallots, and other spices until you have a smooth, fragrant mixture.

Once your sambal paste is ready, you can mix it with cooked prawns to create a delicious filling that's bursting with flavour.

Once you have your sambal prawn filling ready, it's time to wrap and cook your rolls.

To do this, you'll need spring roll wrappers, which you can find at most Asian grocery stores. Simply place a spoonful of filling onto each wrapper, roll it up, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Serve your sambal prawn rolls hot and enjoy!

Key Takeaways

  • Sambal prawn rolls are a popular Chinese New Year snack in Singapore that are sure to delight your taste buds.
  • To prepare the filling, you'll need to make a sambal paste and mix it with cooked prawns.
  • Once you have your filling ready, simply wrap it in spring roll wrappers and fry until crispy and golden brown.

Preparing the Sambal Prawn Filling

Sambal prawns being mixed with spices and herbs in a bowl

To make the perfect sambal prawn roll, you need to start with the best ingredients. Here's how to prepare the sambal prawn filling:

Selecting Ingredients

You will need some fresh shrimp, garlic, shallots, dried chillies, dried shrimps, belacan, oil, salt, sugar, and water. Make sure you get the freshest and highest quality ingredients available to ensure the best taste.

Creating the Sambal Paste

First, you need to create the sambal paste. To do this, blend the dried chillies, garlic, shallots, and belacan in a food processor until you get a smooth paste. You can add a little bit of water to help the blending process.

Cooking the Filling

Next, heat some oil in a pan and fry the sambal paste until fragrant. Add in the dried shrimps and cook until they turn slightly brown. Then, add in the fresh shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Season with salt and sugar to taste.

Once the filling is cooked, let it cool down before wrapping it in the spring roll skin. Roll it tightly and deep fry until golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious and spicy sambal prawn rolls.

Wrapping and Cooking

Prawns being wrapped in sambal paste and then cooked

Wrapping Techniques

To wrap the sambal prawn filling, you can use spring roll skins or wraps. First, lay the wrap flat on a clean surface and place a spoonful of filling in the centre. Then, fold the bottom part of the wrap over the filling, followed by the sides. Finally, roll the wrap tightly until you reach the top. Seal the edges with some egg wash to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.

Cooking Methods

There are different ways to cook sambal prawn rolls, such as frying, deep-frying, or baking. Here are some methods you can try:

Frying

To fry the rolls, heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan until it is hot. Place the rolls in the pan and cook them until they are golden brown on all sides. Drain the excess oil on kitchen paper before serving.

Deep Frying

For a crispier texture, you can deep fry the rolls. Heat some vegetable oil in a deep pan until it is hot. Place the rolls in the pan and cook them until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain the excess oil on kitchen paper before serving.

Baking

If you prefer a healthier option, you can bake the rolls in the oven. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Brush some melted butter on the rolls and place them on a baking tray. Bake them for 12 minutes or until they are golden brown. Serve them hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

A plate of sambal prawn rolls surrounded by various condiments and garnishes

How do you make a prawn roll for a festive occasion?

To make prawn rolls for a festive occasion, start by preparing the prawns. You can use fresh or frozen prawns, but make sure they are cleaned and deveined. Then, mix the prawns with sambal paste and other desired spices. Next, wrap the prawns in spring roll wrappers and deep fry until golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!

What's the secret to a crispy prawn roll?

The secret to a crispy prawn roll is to make sure the oil is hot enough before frying. If the oil is not hot enough, the rolls will absorb too much oil and become soggy. Also, make sure to drain the excess oil on paper towels after frying.

Can you suggest a good dipping sauce for prawn rolls?

Yes, you can serve prawn rolls with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, or a combination of soy sauce and lime juice. You can also make your own dipping sauce by mixing together ingredients such as garlic, chilli, vinegar, and sugar.

What are some tips for choosing the best prawns for a roll?

When choosing prawns for a roll, look for fresh, firm prawns that have a sweet smell. Avoid prawns that have a strong fishy smell or are slimy to the touch. It's also important to make sure the prawns are cleaned and deveined before using them in the recipe.

How can you add a spicy kick to a prawn roll?

To add a spicy kick to a prawn roll, you can use sambal paste or chilli flakes in the filling. You can also serve the rolls with a spicy dipping sauce. For an extra spicy kick, you can add fresh chopped chillies to the filling or sprinkle chilli powder on top of the rolls before serving.

Is there a vegetarian alternative that's similar to prawn rolls?

Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of prawn rolls by substituting the prawns with vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms.

You can also add tofu or tempeh for extra protein.

The rolls can be seasoned with sambal paste or other desired spices, and wrapped in spring roll wrappers before frying.

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