ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Rice paper

Rice paper is a very thin, flat and flexible sheet made from rice flour and water. It is usually used in cooking to make different types of dishes. It is not the same kind of paper that you use for drawing, but it is named rice paper because it looks a little bit like it, and it also comes in different colors.

Rice paper is mainly used in Asian cuisine, and it is often used to make spring rolls, which are a popular appetizer in many countries, and sushi rolls. It is also used to wrap other ingredients like vegetables, meat, or shrimp, and then they can either be fried or served with a sauce.

The process of making rice paper is quite simple. To create rice paper, rice flour is mixed with water to make a paste. This paste is then spread out on flat surfaces or bamboo mats to dry in the sunshine. Once it has dried, it creates a thin, fragile sheet that can be used in various dishes. This process is similar to how you make pancakes; you create a batter and then cook them.

Rice paper can be slightly sticky, so it is important to dampen it before it is used. Chefs often wet it by soaking it in water for a short period, and then they will start to work with it. So, it is not as hard as it looks; you will need to practice a few times to get the hang of it.

In conclusion, rice paper is a type of thin, flat sheet made from rice flour and water. It is used in Asian cuisine to wrap various ingredients and make items such as spring rolls, sushi rolls, and other dishes. It's a little bit sticky but needs to be dampened before being used, it's not as hard as it looks, and it's very tasty.
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