In celebration of Lunar New Year (January 23), I decided to have a spring roll dinner party. Having overspent my party budget on Princemas, it was a low-key, small shindig. Everyone rolled their own spring rolls or as a friend put it:  guests semi-DIYed dinner. 🙂

For appetizers, I made Pate Chaud from The Ravenous Couple. Friends brought yummy homemade Banh Tet and dumplings too.

There was a variety of spring roll filling options:

• Bo Bia from The Ravenous Couple – Chinese sausage, jicama/carrot mix, and thinly scrambled egg.
• Turmeric Fish from Vien Dong – except I baked five catfish fillets at 400º for 20 minutes instead of grilling them.
• Boiled shrimp
• Green onion egg rolls to add a crunch to the spring rolls.
• Beef – seasoned with a little fish sauce, pepper, and green onion, then guests cooked the beef on a grill with butter.
• Selection of greens – lettuce, mint, Thai basil, perilla, and cucumbers.
• Selection of sauces (I hate making sauces so I just buy them) – sweet spring roll sauce, sriracha, Thai peanut sauce, and soy sauce.
• Rice paper

It was the first time some of my guests had ever rolled their own spring rolls, but they seemed to enjoy it. It takes about 6-10 spring rolls to get you full. Other accompaniments could include boiled noodles, roasted peanuts, fish sauce, hoisin sauce—pretty much anything you’d like.

For drinks, I had the basics: beer, wine, and water. A friend brought a bottle of tequila—a few rounds of shots always livens any party up. 🙂 The meal ended with some mini mochi ice cream and blood oranges.

I also posted some fortunes for 2012, Year of the Dragon, from astroYogi. As a rooster, it looks like 2012 will be a profitable year for me with some joyous occasions taking place in June and August.

I hope your year will be filled with good fortune, good health, and much happiness. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới (Happy New Year)!!