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To most people, the word rice paper conjures up the image of wrappers for spring rolls or candy. Edible rice paper is traditionally made with some sort of starch, water, and tapioca or rice flour. Inedible rice paper, made from plant matter instead of rice, is laboriously made in Asia for use in origami, calligraphy, and other paper products. Although manufacturing has made rice paper easier to find in markets around the world, you can still create it at home without much effort. Simply mix flour, starch, and water, spread it over plastic wrap, and heat it in the microwave.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp rice flour (Joshinko)
- 1 tbsp potato starch (Katakuriko)
- 1 ½ tbsp water
- A pinch of salt
Steps
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Mix the ingredients. Place the rice flour, potato starch, water, and salt in a bowl. Whisk them together until they become glue-like paste. [1] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source -
Cover a plate with plastic wrap. Choose a large, microwavable plate and plastic wrap. Stretch the plastic wrap across the top of the plate until the plastic wrap is tight over the plate. [2] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to sourceAdvertisement
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Pour the mixture on the plastic wrap. Tip the bowl over so the mixture rests on the plastic wrap. As long as the wrapping is tight, the rice paper paste will sit upon it. Tilt the plate so that the paste spreads into a smooth, even coating about seven inches (17.78 cm) across. [3] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
- A spoon can be used to help spread the paper paste.
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Microwave the mixture. Place the entire plate and wrapping in a microwave. Heat the paste on a high heat setting for 45 seconds. The amount of time you need may vary depending on your microwave, but this approximates to 40-50 seconds for a 500 W microwave.
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Hold the wrap upside down. Undo the plastic wrapping from the plate, leaving the wrap itself intact with the rice paper on it. You may instead hold the plate upside down, but the plate will be hot and wearing oven mitts can make removing the rice paper too difficult.
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Remove the rice paper. Attempt to lift up the edges of the rice paper. As the paper cools, the edges may lift a little by themselves. Move slowly, continuing to lift one edge of the paper even if it starts to tear. Flip the rice paper upside down before you add filling.
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Wrap filling in the rice paper. To make a spring roll, place your choice of fillings, including raw vegetables, tofu, pork, and chicken, on the bottom third of the paper. Place the bottom of the rice paper over the filling, then continue to wrap the roll upwards as you keep the filling tight inside the paper. [4] X Research source
- Fried spring rolls can be made by dropping the rolls into boiling oil until golden brown.
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Store the rice paper. Place the rice paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Once they are made and exposed to the air, they will absorb moisture. Store paper that will be used soon, such as premade spring rolls, by wrapping them in a damp towel and then plastic wrap before refrigeration to keep them soft. [5] X Research source
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Reuse hardened rice paper. When fresh rice paper has been sealed properly and refrigerated, it can last a few days. Refrigeration will cause the paper to harden, so before using leftover rice paper, dip it in lukewarm water and let it set on a plate. Paper that doesn’t soften to your liking can be thrown out or chopped up into noodles. [6] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I use brown rice as a gluten-free option?Traci Morgan-Hoernke is a Gluten-Free Baking Specialist based in Milwaukee, WI. She is the owner of MOR Foods, LLC, a Bakery in Milwaukee dedicated to providing delicious Gluten-Free treats. She was inspired to start the bakery after spending years navigating her own son’s food allergies and subsequently built a business based on catering to those with food sensitivities.To use brown rice flour for rice paper, start by preparing a batter consisting of brown rice flour and water. Mix the two ingredients until you achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. Heat a non-stick pan or a specialized rice paper pan, then pour a thin layer of the batter onto the hot surface, spreading it evenly to create a thin layer. Cook until the edges begin to lift and the rice paper easily peels off. Use this homemade brown rice paper for wrapping spring rolls or other dishes, incorporating a gluten-free alternative to traditional rice paper.
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Things You’ll Need
- Microwave
- Microwavable plate
- Plastic wrap
- Spoon
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Traci Morgan-Hoernke .
References
- ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/rice-paper
- ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/rice-paper
- ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/rice-paper
- ↑ https://cookingwithayeh.com/rice-paper-dumplings/#tips-to-make-rice-paper-dumplings
- ↑ https://storables.com/articles/how-to-store-rice-long-term-without-mylar-bags/
- ↑ https://storables.com/articles/how-to-store-rice-long-term-without-mylar-bags/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make your own edible rice paper, whisk together rice flour, potato starch, water and salt until it becomes a glue-like paste. Then, cover a plate with plastic wrap and stretch it across the top until it fits tightly over the plate. Next, pour the mixture onto the plastic wrap and tilt the plate so that the paste spreads out in an even layer, about 7 inches across. Cook your rice paper by heating the plate in a microwave on high for 45 seconds. To learn more, including how to store your rice paper if you’re not using it right away, keep reading.
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- "Researching plastic alternatives. Great this is gluten free, so perfect."
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