LAST DAY OF SPRING, FIRST DAY OF SPRING ROLL

Today's the last day of spring but The Gardener is still planting. Who knew day lilies now have cutesy names as nail polish does ----- "Two To Tango" could be either! But even in the sweltering 37C heat, the blossoms are still trying to outdo each other.

Blog followers with good memories might recall 2 unique blog posts. The first was from Aug. 19, 2011 when I offered one of Pat's scrumptious fish dinners to the first car up the hill after the new concrete was poured. Winners were C and W from Southampton. The second fun blog post was the spring roll cooking lesson on a slow boat in Ha Long Bay (December 8, 2011). It turns out that the dinner was claimed AND the first spring rolls were attempted today --- one dish a sure thing, the other a major experiment!

The vegetarian filling was prepared a little in advance. The rice paper wrappers look like plastic place mats in the package, but the moment they're dipped in hot water they become limp and tasty. Rolling the morsel takes the finesse of a Cuban cigar maker folding a diaper. Then a hot oil bath with a quick flip to crisp the critter. Try it with 5-Spice Asian Sauce ---- Memories of Vietnam Without Leaving Home! (Main hint: soak the rice paper only one at a time, otherwise they'll stick together like the sauce stain and my shirt.)

 C and W enjoyed their prize and the bonus spring rolls. Then summer arrived at 7:09 pm. Anybody for Vietnamese Summer Rolls??