Hot and Crispy Fried lumpia
Lumpia Shanghai is a popular Filipino spring roll that is traditionally filled with ground pork, onions, garlic and carrots. It’s the first thing at family parties that people line up for, filling their plates with this warm crispy snack.
Growing up, rolling lumpias was a normal family affair. The sun would be shining through the kitchen window, casting a golden glow over the pile of lumpia wrappers. My family sat around the long kitchen table sharing stories while also boasting about their personal techniques in achieving that perfect roll. You can say that in our family, rolling lumpia was an excellent way to combine quality time and culinary detective work.
Gathering Ingredients for Our Culinary Adventure
We knew the basics: ground pork, carrots, onions, and spices. But grandma insisted on adding a touch of love—and don’t forget to throw in a dash of laughter!
Here’s how you can join in on the fun with your own batch of Lumpia Shanghai. This should make approximately 25 pieces.
- 1½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup finely chopped carrots
- ½ cup finely onions
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 cloves of grated garlic
- 1 package of lumpia wrappers
- ½ tsp of ground black pepper
- Oil for frying the lumpia
Mix the pork, veggies, soy sauce, and spices in a bowl. Then, it’s time for that all-important family bonding
Lay one wrapper in front of you in a diamond shape. Place about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the lumpia filling onto the wrapper sheet creating a line no thicker than your index finger across the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling. Make it tight, but not too tight—like those awkward family hugs you pretend to enjoy. Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the center. Now roll up tightly to seal in the lumpia filling. Moisten the tip of the wrapper with a dab of egg white or water.
Frying Up Joy and Memories
Once you’ve rolled your lumpia like a pro, it’s time for frying. A deep pan filled with oil makes this step a bit messy but oh-so-rewarding when you pull those crispy beauties out! As the crunch of the lumpia reverberated around us, we laughed until our sides hurt—truly the best seasoning for our feast.
So, gather your family, roll some lumpia, and create beautiful memories. Because in the end, it’s not just about the food; it’s about coming together, laughing, and occasionally burning the lumpias. Happy cooking!