LUMPIA & DIPPING SAUCE

What is lumpia? To summarize Wikipedia, it is a savory snack made with a thin skin enveloping a mixture of meat and vegetable filling, often served as a traditional Filipino dish.

Hmmm…to me it sounds a lot like a Mexican taquito, a Chinese egg roll, Indonesian spring roll or a Southeast Asian popiah and I’ve missed many a crunchy deliciousness. It seems to me, no matter your ethnicity – you have a yummy fried roll of something – with a dipping sauce of course!

 

Growing up, taquitos were a favorite fried dish I’d make for my brother and sister or eat at one of my Tia’s houses. It was always accompanied by a guacamole dip.

I like to try different foods and very similar to a childhood favorite, lumpia can be made as quick and easy appetizer, a terrific side to a meal or it could be the main dish to a meal served with a side of pancit and a green salad. 

While traditional lumpia is delicious and what I will be sharing today, don’t be afraid to change things up.  I always changed up our taquitos to what was on hand. Lumpia is pretty much the same so don’t be afraid to try. Here are some ideas.

     - The pork can be exchanged for beef, chicken or fish.
     - The veggies can be anything you like.

     -  Add some nuts for crunch.

     - Sweeten it up by filling with fruits & sprinkle with sugar.

INGREDIENTS

Lumpia

• 11 Ounce Package Lumpia Wrappers (25 wrappers)
• 1 Pound Ground Pork (cooked and crumbled apart)
• 4 Ounce Can Water Chestnuts (chopped fine)
• 1 Celery Stalk (chopped fine)
• 4 Ounces Shitake Mushrooms (chopped fine)
• 2 Green Onions (chopped fine)
• 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 Teaspoon of Shrimp Paste (anchovy paste can be substituted) 
• 1 Teaspoon Kikkoman Soy Sauce
• ¼ Teaspoon of Black Pepper
• Egg Wash ( 1 egg, 2 Tablespoons of water, mixed thoroughly)
• 2 Cups of Vegetable Oil (for frying)

Dipping Sauce

• ½ Water
• ½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• ½ Cup Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Hunt's Ketchup
• 1 Clove of Garlic (finely minced)
• ½ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

PREPARATION

Lumpia

1. In a large bowl combine all ingredients except the Vegetable oil.
2. Using one wrapper at a time, place a healthy spoonful of meat mixture on to the center. 
3. Take two sides of the wrapper and fold it in. Then as tightly as you are able, take the open side of the wrapper and begin rolling and finish at the opposite end.
4. Lightly seal edge with egg wash.
5. Continue until you run out of wrappers.
6. In a skillet over medium heat oil for frying (about 375 degrees).
7. Carefully place lumpia in pan (don’t over crowd).
8. Cook and turn until all sides a crispy and brown (watch carefully they cook quickly).

Dipping Sauce

1. In a sauce pan combine all ingrediants mixing well to dissolve cornstarch.
2. Heat until hot and thick.
3. allow to cool before serving.

Note: If lumpia wrappers can’t be found, egg roll wrappers will work.