Vietnamese Mint Noodles Recipes

VIETNAMESE MINT NOODLES

Steps:

• Cool the rice noodles in a saucepan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes or until soft.
• Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Toss the noodles with the basil and the mint.
• Combine the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar, add to the noodles and toss well.

VIETNAMESE RICE NOODLES WITH LEMONGRASS SHRIMP

Steps:

• Make the pickled vegetables: Put carrot and daikon in a small bowl and sprinkle with sugar and salt. Add rice vinegar, toss well and set aside.
• Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, ginger and chiles. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and let mixture sit for 15 minutes. (Leftover sauce will keep up to 3 days, refrigerated.)
• Marinate the shrimp: Put shrimp in a shallow dish. Add fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic and lemongrass. Mix well to coat.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Turn off heat and add rice noodles. Soak noodles, stirring occasionally, until softened, usually about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Leave in colander at room temperature.
• Prepare a platter of lettuce leaves and herb sprigs for the table. Keep cool, covered with a damp towel.
• Put oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add shrimp without crowding (work in batches if necessary). Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
• To serve, divide noodles among 4 large soup bowls, then top each with hot shrimp, pickled vegetables and a tablespoon or so of dipping sauce. Sprinkle with scallions and peanuts (and beans sprouts if using). Pass herb platter and remaining dipping sauce at the table, and encourage guests to customize bowls as desired.

VIETNAMESE RICE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Mince the garlic with the cilantro and the hot pepper. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the lime juice, fish sauce or salt and sugar; stir well. Let the sauce sit for 5 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rice noodles; boil them for 2 minutes. Drain well. Rinse the noodles with cold water until they have cooled. Let them drain again.
• Combine the sauce, noodles, carrots, cucumber, mint and Napa cabbage in a large serving bowl. Toss well and serve the salad garnished with the peanuts and mint sprigs.

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• A pinch of brown sugar goes in to a small deep bowl, mixed with the juice of a lime and a teaspoon each of fish sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine). Add in 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (or any other plain oil), ½ a minced garlic clove and half a red chilli chopped small with the seeds in. Give this Asian broth a stir to mix and add in 3 shredded spring onions. Leave to sit for an hour or so.
• Put a portion of dried rice or glass noodles in a bowl of boiling water and leave to one side until soften.
• As the noodles soften, chop 150g of sweetheart cabbage fairly finely and shred a carrot with a vegetable peeler and slice a couple of radishes, rough chopped 10g of fresh mint and tear up 20g of coriander and a cooked chicken breast.
• When the noodles are softened drain and run through with cold water to cool them mostly, but a little warmth helps it take on flavour.
• Mix all of the ingredients together well to coat in the noodles, vegetables and chicken in the piquant-Asian liquor. It works best if you leave it to stand for at least 30 minutes. If you're leaving to stand longer (over might for example) then cover and pop it in the fridge and only add the mint and coriander before serving, amkkng sure it's room temperature.
• Apply to your face - preferably al fresco in a sunny park with crisp white wine on a lovely picnic.

VIETNAMESE RICE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Soak noodles in hot water 10 minutes, then drain in a large sieve.
• Cook noodles in a 4-quart pot of boiling water, uncovered, until tender, about 1 minute. Drain in sieve and rinse under cold water until cold. Drain well and pat noodles dry.
• Whisk together vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and salt in a large bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add noodles, carrot, scallions, herbs, and peanuts, tossing to combine.