Master Recipe for Cool Noodle Salads

Ingredients

• Nuoc cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
• ¹/₃ to ½ cup roughly chopped or small whole mint leaves
• 12 sprigs fresh cilantro
• 2 Tbs. chopped roasted peanuts
• 2 cups washed and shredded romaine, red, or green leaf lettuce
• 1 recipe for Warm Lemon Grass Shrimp, Vietnamese Grilled Pork, or Stir-Fried Vegetables.
• 1-½ cups peeled, seeded, and julienned cucumber
• + 3 more ingredients
• • 2 cups fresh, crisp bean sprouts
  • ¹/₃ to ½ cup roughly chopped or small basil or Thai basil leaves
  • 8 oz. dried rice vermicelli

Divide the lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, mint, and basil among four large soup or pasta bowls. If working ahead of time, cover each bowl with damp paper towels and refrigerate. Set peanuts aside. Make 1 recipe nuoc cham and refrigerate. Bring a medium potful of water to a rolling boil. Add...

View full recipe at Fine Cooking