Chinese egg rolls

Ingredients

• 2 cups (16 fl oz/475 ml) vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon for frying
• 2 oz/50 g pork tenderloin, sliced into 1/8-inch/3-mm strips
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra to taste
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons rice wine
• 3 1/2 oz/100 g chives, cut into 3/4-inch/2-cm lengths
• 8 egg roll wrapper
• 1 teaspoon cornflour

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet (frying pan) over medium-high heat, add the pork, and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until cooked through.

Combine the salt, soy sauce, and wine and add it to the mixture. Stir-fry for another 1 minute. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then transfer to a plate and set aside to cool. 

Add the chives to the pork and mix. Divide the filling into 8 equal portions.

Place an egg roll wrapper on a cutting board, place a portion of filling at one end, and roll the wrapper into a 4-inch/10-cm-long egg roll, folding in the edges as you roll. Repeat with the remaining egg roll wrappers and filling. Combine the cornflour with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Dab the edges of the egg roll with the cornstarch water and seal.

Heat the 2 cups (16 oz/475 ml) oil in a wok or deep saucepan to 350°F/180°C, or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds. Carefully lower the egg rolls into the hot oil, in batches, and deep-fry for 2 minutes, turning, until golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the egg rolls to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve immediately.

This recipe is extracted from China The Cookbook by Kei Lum Chan and Diora Fong Chan, published by Phaidon, RRP £29.95

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