Description
A quick and flavorful Vietnamese-inspired Easy Spicy Rice Paper Salad featuring softened rice paper strips tossed in a vibrant, spicy, and tangy dressing, finished with a hot oil drizzle for an enhanced aroma and texture. Perfect for a light and refreshing appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Rice Paper Strips
- 12 sheets rice paper
Spice and Dressing Mix
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp pepper (divided; 0.5 tbsp for mixing and 0.5 tbsp additional)
- 0.5 tbsp chili powder
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 0.5 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp allulose (or substitute sugar/honey)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Finishing Oil
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil
Optional Garnish
- Extra sesame seeds or chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Cut Rice Paper: Cut each rice paper sheet into thin strips about 1 inch wide to prepare them for soaking.
- Prepare Dressing: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, pepper, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili powder, allulose (or sugar/honey), rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Stir well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Soak Rice Paper: Soak the rice paper strips in room temperature water for 20–30 seconds until they soften but remain intact, then drain and let them sit in a bowl.
- Mix Rice Paper with Dressing: Add the softened rice paper strips into the prepared dressing and gently mix to evenly coat.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a pan until warm but not smoking, then carefully pour the hot oil over the salad mixture in the bowl. This step enhances flavor and slightly toasts the spices.
- Combine and Serve: Gently mix everything until well coated. Garnish with extra sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for added crunch and serve immediately for the best fresh and chewy texture.
Notes
- Do not soak rice paper too long to avoid it becoming mushy.
- Adjust chili powder amount to control the spice level.
- Use allulose or other sweeteners to keep the salad low glycemic.
- Serve immediately after adding hot oil to maintain texture and flavor.
- Can be garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for extra freshness.
