Submitted by: Gregory J. Willoughby, The Olde House, People’s Choice Award, 1995 Great Taste of Maine, Lobster Gov
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups rice flour
2-1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil, for oiling tray
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon ginger, minced
1 Tablespoon green onion, minced
4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
3 Tablespoons shallots, minced
1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 Tablespoon ginger, minced
1 pound Tatsoi or Osaka purple mustard
1/2 Tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 pounds Maine Lobster, cooked, sliced
8 lobster claws, halved lengthwise
3 cups bean sprouts, blanched
1/2 cup mint leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup Asian basil leaves, coarsely chopped
fried shallots
Sesame-Ginger-Lime Sauce (recipe follows)
Sesame-Ginger-Lime Sauce
1 garlic clove
2 fresh Thai bird chiles and/or fresh ginger, 1-inch piece, peeled and thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice with pulp
3 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
DIRECTIONS:
For Rice Sheets:
Combine rice flour, water, and salt in a mixing bowl and beat well with a whisk. Strain to remove any lumps (batter will be very watery). Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
To make the rice sheet, fill the banh cuon pot with 2/3 full of water. Tighten the cloth over the hoop and place the hoop in the pot. Cover and bring to a vigorous boil. Place filling, oil, and cookie tray near the stove area.
Stir the batter well before making each rice sheet. Using a shallow ladle, spoon 2 tablespoons batter into the center of the cloth. Using the bottom of the ladle spread the batter into a 6-inch inch wide circle. Cover and steam until rice sheet is translucent and floats on top of the cloth, about 40 seconds. Working quickly, lift the rice sheet off with a flat bamboo stick or a thin rubber spatula and transfer to the oiled tray. Repeat with remaining batter. Let rice sheets cool before filling them.
For the Filling:
In a medium size bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the ginger, and the green onion. Season with salt and pepper. Add the mushrooms and gently toss to coat. Preheat a grill. Grill the mushrooms until tender. When cool enough to handle, slice ¼-inch thick. Adjust seasonings. Keep warm.
Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over moderate heat. Add shallots and stir 20 seconds. Add the garlic and ginger, sauté 10 seconds. Mix in the Tatsoi or purple mustard, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. When the greens wilt, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper transfer to a bowl to keep warm. Heat the lobster over low heat in a sauté pan.
To make the rolls, fold up the side of the rice sheet closest to you. Neatly place 1-1/2 teaspoons of wilted greens, 2 strips of mushrooms, and 1 slice of Maine Lobster filling on the folded area. Fold the sides over and roll into a cylinder. The rolls should be about 2-1/2-inches long and 2/3-inch wide. Banh cuon can be made in advance up to this point. You can store in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Before serving, reheat in the microwave or steamer.
To serve, divide the rice rolls among four plates. Top each plate with 1/4 of the bean sprouts, mint, basil, and shallots. Drizzle with a generous amount of Sesame-Ginger-Lime Sauce.
Sesame-Ginger-Lime Sauce
Place the garlic, chiles, chili paste, and ginger in a mortar and
pound into a paste. Transfer paste into a glass jar with a tight-fitting
lid and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well until sugar is
dissolved. To serve, pour into small ramekins. Sauce may be stored in
the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
