Egg Rolls

 We like to order egg rolls when we have Chinese.  And our favorite place doesn't charge too much for an order of 2, (compared to other restaurants).

And buying frozen egg rolls, are 1/2 the price, (you get 4 for the same price as 2 in the restaurant), but the quality isn't quite the same!

However, for $6.00, I can make 18 to 20 egg rolls.  I can also freeze them, (then I can have them on hand to reheat whenever we feel like having egg rolls).  That works out to be 30 cents each, (compared to 75 cents each for frozen in the store, or $1.50 each in the restaurant).  And I don't have to worry about all the preservatives.  It doesn't take much time.  Let me show you.

You will need:
20 egg roll wrappers
1/2 pound of ground pork, or chicken, or beef
2 tsp. fresh ginger chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
16 oz bag shredded carrot & cabbage coleslaw mix (you will only use 3/4 of the bag, so you can even buy a 12 oz bag)
4 green onions
1 egg

First, chop the green onion.
Finely chop 1 teaspoon of ginger
Mince the 2 cloves of garlic

If you don't have fresh ginger, you could always substitute bottled ginger, but fresh is so much better.

In a saute pan, over medium heat, add the ginger, garlic and 1/2 pound of ground meat.  (I am using pork, but you can use ground chicken or ground beef).

Make sure to break up the meat and mix everything together well.

Cook the meat well.  You can smell the wonderful flavors of the ginger and garlic - yummy.

In a small bowl mix together 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1/4 cup soy sauce.

Pour over the meat mixture and mix well.  Continue cooking for another 30 seconds.  Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, add about 3/4 of the bag of coleslaw mix and the chopped onions.  Mix together.

In the summertime, I would use fresh sliced cabbage and fresh grated carrots from the garden, (it tastes so much better).

Add in the meat mixture, and stir well.

In a small bowl, lightly beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of water.

Lay your egg roll wrapper in front of you, so it looks like a diamond.

Add about 3 tablespoons of cabbage/meat mixture.  You don't want to overfill, or the egg roll will split.

Fold the bottom point up over the filling.

Tuck the wrapper point in under the mixture and slightly roll once.

 Fold the left and the right points up and over the the top of the wrapper.

Roll the wrapper once more, then brush the beaten egg along the top point.

Continue rolling, and your egg roll is now complete.  Repeat with the remaining wrappers.

All my wrappers are filled.  I got 18 egg rolls.  (If I had used 1 more handful of coleslaw mix, I would have gotten 20 egg rolls.)  Now you need to decide, are you going to fry you egg rolls or bake them.  I have chosen to bake mine.  If you choose to fry yours, just heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a large frying pan to 350 degrees.  Fry a few egg rolls at a time for 2 - 3 minutes each side.  Drain on a paper towel and serve.

If you are going to bake you egg rolls, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Brush the egg rolls with olive oil.

Bake for 10 - 15 minutes, Until golden brown.


Note:  If you want crunchy egg rolls, brush the egg rolls with the rest of the beaten egg.

It's been about 13 minutes, and my egg rolls are now done, and ready to serve.

If you want to freeze your egg rolls, let them cool.  Then place them in the freezer, single layer on a baking sheet for 1 hour.  Remove them from the freezer, and place them in a freezer zip lock storage bag with the excess air removed, (that way they don't stick together).  Label the bag with the type of filling, (i.e.: pork, chicken, or beef, and the date).  Then when you're ready to serve, just heat and eat.

The egg rolls have a nice mixture of vegetables and meat.  How much filling, and what type of filling is your choice.

A little sweet and sour sauce, and your all ready for the big football game, or to celebrate Chinese New Year, or even a quick lunch.

Give these egg rolls a try, and you'll find them a quick and delicious treat.

Enjoy !