A little Boise Urban Market follow-up

In my Spring Fling entry, I said that I would do a follow-up post when I finally got around to cooking the frozen lumpia from JJ's, but before I get into that I need to quickly address something else.  In that same entry, I mentioned that my roommate started off her evening by chowing down on a pesto roll that I didn't get a picture of.  Well it just so happens that Pam, the maker of said pesto roll, ended up reading my blog and sent me a picture of the rolls.


Pesto rolls...really wishing I had tried them now...


Pam also confirmed my roommate's suspicions that the Thai pepper jelly and bacon roll wasn't as hot as it sounded, and advised that she'll be bringing maple bacon cinnamon rolls to the next Boise Urban Market in June.  Consider me intrigued!  Now, back to the lumpia...

Frozen lumpia

As I mentioned in my previous entry, these were the strangest things I've purchased from the Market so far.  I've seen stuff in jars and boxes, and of course there are plenty of people who have paper plates and trays so you can eat hot food on-site, but this was the first frozen item I've come across.  Add that to the fact that it was only the second time I've encountered lumpia, and they were nothing like the first ones.  Those had been homemade by a then-girlfriend, and much more resembled the big, thick egg rolls you see at most Chinese restaurants in this country.  Search for lumpia in an image directory, and you'll see there are no hard rules regarding the appearance of the finished product.  The man selling these things did have some sample rolls cut up into small pieces and available to try, and they were very good.  They were also deep fried.

Not-so-frozen lumpia

I don't generally deep-fry things around the house.  I try (mind you, I said try) to eat a little healthier at home than I do when I'm out and about, so after considering everything from baking the things to making an exception and just deep-frying the suckers, eventually I compromised on pan-frying.  A handful of cigar-shaped rolls, a splash of oil and a nonstick pan later, I was in business.

The finished product

After I was satisfied that the lumpia were done, I dried them on paper towels as long as I dared...didn't want them getting cold, after all...and plated them up with a little puddle of sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Crispy, porcine goodness

First things first, I think it goes without saying that things like this are simply better deep-fried.  That having been said, these were perfectly satisfactory, crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside, and adding the sauce of your choice just takes them to the next level.  Next time, just to be adventurous, I think I actually might bake them and see how they turn out.

Anyway, these are just a couple more of the kinds of things you see at the Boise Urban Market.  Check out their website and, if you're interested, make sure to sign up before the next one takes place in June.  Only members are admitted!