Chicken Summer Rolls



1/4 cup rice vinegar, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons
1 tablespoon sugar, divided
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (from a rotisserie or other leftover chicken)
1 medium-large carrot, shredded (about 1 cup)
12 (8 1/2-inch) rice paper wrappers (See note)
1/3 English cucumber or 1 kirby cucumber, peeled, julienned, about 1 cup
4 scallions (white and green parts) finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, basil or cilantro
About 12 Boston lettuce leaves
1/2 cup cooked brown or white rice
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons water

1. Whisk 1/4 cup rice vinegar with 2 teaspoons sugar in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves. Add chicken and carrot, season with salt to taste, set aside.
2. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Working with 2 sheets of rice paper at a time (keep others covered with a barely damp cloth to prevent curling), immerse papers in the warm water until slightly softened (about 15 seconds). Remove and spread out on a clean surface or cutting board. Pat dry with a towel to remove excess water.
3. Lay 2 pieces of lettuce over the bottom third of the rice paper, leaving about 1/2-inch clear on edges. Place about 1/3 cup chicken and carrot mixture on the lettuce, top with 4 to 5 pieces cucumber, scallion, several mint leaves and about 1 heaping tablespoon of rice. Roll up the paper halfway into a cylinder. Fold both edges in to tuck while continuing to roll the paper to seal.
4. Place the rolls on a plate covered with a damp towel so they stay moist as you prepare the remaining rolls. Cut rolls in half and wrap in plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container. In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter with the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and water until smooth. Put sauce in sealed containers. Tuck rolls and sauce into a lunch sack with a cold pack and send off to school.

Yield: 4-6 servings

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