Spring Roll Wrapping Station

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6).

2. Prepare Ingredients:

   • Before starting, place the cooked rice noodles, vegetables, prawns, and chicken in individual bowls for easy access.
   • Ensure everyone washes their hands and puts on their aprons.

3. Set Up the Kids:

   • Sit the kids down with their own mixing bowls and spoons. Encourage them to choose which ingredients they want in their rolls (remind them that noodles are essential!).
   • Let them know it's okay to snack on the ingredients, as everything is either cooked or safe to eat raw.
   • Add a bit of chopped garlic, ginger, a splash of soy sauce, and a sprinkle of five-spice powder to each bowl and let them mix it all together.

4. Assemble the Rolls:

   • Move the mixing bowls aside and place a sheet of pastry in front of each child.
   • Instruct them to spoon their filling down one side of the pastry sheet.
   • Provide each child with the beaten egg and a brush to brush the edges of the pastry.

5. Roll Up the Pastry:

   • Help them fold both sides of the pastry over the filling and roll it up tightly.

6. Prepare for Baking:

   • Transfer the spring rolls onto a baking tray, seam side down. Brush the tops with a little more egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
   • Try to remember which child made which roll to avoid any disputes later!

7. Bake the Rolls:

   • Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

8. Make the Dipping Sauce:

   • While the rolls are baking, have the kids mix together the dipping sauce ingredients until the sugar dissolves.

9. Serve:

   • Once the spring rolls are golden and crisp, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
   • Cut the rolls into pieces for smaller kids, then let everyone enjoy dipping them into the sauce.

Tips:

• You can find ready-cooked rice noodles in the chiller cabinet at larger supermarkets. If unavailable, soak a bundle of thin rice noodles in kettle-hot water for 5 minutes, drain, and toss with a little oil to cool.
• Brik pastry is a thin North African pastry similar to filo. It's easier for kids to handle and can be found at Waitrose, Ocado, or Middle Eastern shops. If you can't find it, use filo pastry, but work quickly to prevent it from becoming brittle. Keep unused sheets covered with a damp cloth.