If using shrimp, precook it, or purchase cooked shrimp. Cut the shrimp lengthwise so they are thin enough to roll with the vegetables.
Soak these fine rice noodles (sometimes called glass noodles) in a large bowl of hot water. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for them to soften. Drain, and set aside to use with the fillings.
Prepare all your fillings and set up a wrapping station. Add water to pie plate or tart pan to soak the rice paper. Precook shrimp and rice vermicelli noodles, if using.
Dip a piece of rice paper into the water. Do not over soak it. It does not have to be soft when you remove it. Hold it in the water for about 2-3 seconds, and then place it on a cutting board. The water will continue to soak in as you wrap the spring rolls. If you over soak the rice paper, the spring rolls will tear when rolling.
Add a piece of lettuce and 3 half shrimp pieces to each spring roll wrapper. Keep the fillings in the center to allow space to roll the rice paper.
Add rice vermicelli noodles, herbs, and crisp vegetables. Any combo of veggies work but I like to get a rainbow of colors in these!
Fold the top part of the wrapper to the bottom part. They will stick together in the center of the roll.
Roll from left to right in a tight roll. The rice paper is sticky so once you have it rolled, it will hold tight. I’ve made these many times, and the first one never looks nice! Practice with each roll to make the next one look better.
Serve spring rolls with dipping sauce of choice!