Pork Egg Rolls

1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add cabbage, carrots, garlic, and ginger; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Raise heat to high; add pork and soy mixture. Cook, tossing, until pork is no longer pink and liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes; mix in scallions. Transfer mixture to a plate to cool. Lay wrappers flat on a work surface, and assemble egg rolls.

3. In a 5-quart pot, heat remaining oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees. Working in batches of 4, and returning oil to 350 degrees for each batch, fry egg rolls until golden, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes; drain on paper towels. Serve with sweet-and-sour sauce and spicy mustard.

4. To bake, not fry: If you prefer, these egg rolls can be baked. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet; place egg rolls on sheet and brush with cup oil. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Serve with sweet-and-sour sauce and spicy mustard. If baking from frozen, bake about 15 minutes.

5. To freeze: Prepare egg rolls through step 2; freeze in a single layer until firm, at least 2 hours. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag; freeze up to 3 months. To fry from frozen, increase frying time in step 3 by about 3 minutes per batch.

Cook's Notes

HOW TO ROLL AN EGG ROLL
1. Filling It Up: Lay 3 or 4 egg-roll wrappers flat on counter. (Keep other wrappers covered with a damp paper towel.) Place 1/3 cup pork mixture in center of each.
2. Folding It Up: Using a pastry brush, wet border with egg. Fold point of wrapper that's closest to you over the pork mixture, and tuck under the filling.
3. Folding It In: Fold both side corners toward center of wrapper (they won't meet in the center). It should look like an open envelope.
4. Finishing It Up: Tightly roll up filled pocket to close wrapper, then gently press down to seal the edges.