This is the first of a four-part series featuring fish hors d’œuvre using one main ingredient — tilapia fillets. These dishes — two rather eclectic spring rolls (lumpia) and fish sticks — can be served as hors d’œuvre (appetizers) or as main entrees. It all depends on the occasion. If you’re serving them for cocktails, then you serve them as appetizers. But, in everyday life, since appetizers are not really a part of the Filipino meal (we know appetizers are finger food or pica-pica which usually go with ice-cold beer), they’re great with rice too. In fact, we just had them for lunch today.

You’re probably thinking that’s three dishes, so, why does it say this is the first in a four-part series? Well, I’ve thrown in a little extra too — garlicky mayo-vinaigrette dip. That’s the fourth part.
I’m posting all four at the same time, the last three as future entries which will become publicly viewable at 24-hour intervals, the last one to appear on Maundy Thursday.
Shall we now go to the recipe for fish, ham and cheese spring rolls?

What’s the idea behind this dish? Well, it was inspired by the classic cordon bleu — that wonderful fried-to-a-crisp dish that consists of a slice of ham and cheese sandwiched between thin sheets of chicken breast fillets. I just thought I’d orientalize a thoroughly continental dish.
This recipe will yield four rather large spring rolls. If you intend to serve them as a main course, with rice, simply double, tripe or quadruple the ingredients. Well, except the vegetable cooking oil for deep-fying. Two to three cups are enough to cook over a dozen spring rolls.
Ingredients :
2 tilapia (or other fleshy) fillets
4 strips of cheese
1 slice of ham
salt
pepper
4 large spring roll wrappers
1 to 2 cups of vegetable cooking oil
Cooking procedure :
A note about the tilapia fillets. My husband bought the fillets from S&R but you can just ask your suki in the wet market to fillet the tilapia for you.
Cut each fish fillet into two strips. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Cut the ham into four strips.

Place a strip of fish near the center of a spring roll wrapper. Top with strips of ham and cheese. Roll, gathering the sides of the wrapper as you do. Seal the edges by wetting them with an little water.
Fry the prepared spring rolls in hot vegetable oil until nicely browned.

The cooked spring rolls will be rather large so you might want to chop each into two portions before serving.
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hi connie. i would want to thank you for all the very good recipes you have here! i always visit your blog everyday, routine na nga for me eh. by the way last night, i finally decided to start a food blog. kakaumpisa ko lang kagabi at hindi pa ako nag upgrade kasi im not yet decided eh kung i’ll take it seriously na ba, hehe. pero lahat sa bahay na eexcite then everytime i make photos of the food we make esp my mom-in-law. by the way gusto ko sama ipost ung ginawa kong macaroons na ginawa ko nung bday ng anak ko and i got the recipe from your website. i will be linking it to your website. and of course, i give credit to you and you alone! thanks talaga sa good recipes mo! god bless you and your loved ones!
wow, for a minute there the fish threw me. but looks like it worked huh? nalaway ako dito ah! how are you connie?
Hi lalay, i just visited your blog. the vegetable pizza looks so tempting. i’m glad you decided to start a food blog too. we can all learn from each other. :)
Hi Connie,I just want you to know that I really love reading your blog.I think I’m addicted to it now,Everyday may libangan na ako LOL.Keep up the good work,And i love reading your recipes.
naku, stef, sorry late reply. kinain ng akismet yung comment mo. i de-spammed it just now. i’m great. still at war with plagiarists. :mad: how’s the family? :)
Luz, I’d like to think it’s a productive kind of addiction? :razz:
wow ate connie.. i want to try this. grabe.. everyday na ako nsa blog mo. I can’t help but to look for more recipes. hehe! tuwang tuwa ksi mommy ko recently lng ako ngtry mgcook tapos ang sasarap dw ng luto ko.. well, all the credits goes to you kase sayo ko nakuha laht ng recipe n un.. thank u so much!
I’m going to try this. Kasi po yung ginagawa ko usually is ham, cheese, carrot and bell pepper. I’m sure gonna try it. Thanks po and more power!