Lumpia is a popular Filipino dish that is believed to have been around since the 15th century, when the Chinese first arrived in the Philippines. The dish is a type of spring roll that is made with a thin crepe-like wrapper filled with a variety of ingredients. Traditionally, the filling is a combination of ground pork, shrimp, vegetables, and spices. Lumpia is usually served as an appetizer, but it can also be eaten as a main course. The dish has become popular throughout the world, and is now a staple in many Filipino households.
While the exact origins of lumpia are unknown, it is believed to have been inspired by a Chinese dish called jiaozi. Jiaozi is a type of dumpling filled with pork or vegetables and is often served with a dipping sauce. The Chinese immigrants who settled in the Philippines likely adapted the dish to suit their tastes, by using local ingredients and spices. Over time, the dish evolved into the lumpia we know today.
Making Delicious Lumpia at Home
Making lumpia at home is easy and fun! You will need the following ingredients:
-1 pound ground pork
-1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
-1/2 cup diced carrots
-1/2 cup diced celery
-1/2 cup diced onions
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-2 tablespoons soy sauce
-2 tablespoons fish sauce
-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
-1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
-1 package lumpia wrappers
-Vegetable oil, for frying
You will also need a few pieces of kitchen equipment, such as a large bowl, a large skillet, and a slotted spoon.
To begin, combine the ground pork, shrimp, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, black pepper, white pepper, coriander, and cumin in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix everything together until it is well combined.
Next, lay out a lumpia wrapper on a clean work surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of the pork and shrimp mixture in the center of the wrapper. Fold the sides of the wrapper up and over the filling. Roll the wrapper up tightly to form a cylinder. Seal the edges with a bit of water. Repeat until all of the filling has been used.
Heat about one inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the lumpia to the skillet and fry for about two minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the lumpia from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Serve the lumpia with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, such as a mixture of equal parts soy sauce and hoisin sauce with a few drops of sesame oil. You can also garnish the lumpia with chopped green onions, cilantro, and crushed peanuts.
For an extra spicy kick, try adding a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to the dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Looking for a great Asian entree to go with your app? Try out these easy garlic noodles.