Ingredients
- 1 pound rice vermicelli
- 2/3 cup fish sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 pound medium uncooked shrimp, deveined
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and julienned
- 1 scallion (white and tender green parts), chopped
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add rice vermicelli. Leave in the water for 3 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Rinse in cold water and drain well.
- To make the dressing, combine the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and garlic in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the shrimp and lemon, reduce the heat, and poach the shrimp in barely simmering water until pink and firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain, discard the lemon, and set aside.
- Place the rice noodles in a large mixing bowl and pour in half the dressing. Toss well. Add the shrimp, carrot, cucumber, scallion, and peanuts; toss again.
- If eating immediately, toss in the cilantro, mint, and basil, and serve, passing the remaining dressing at the table. Alternatively, hold the salad and dressing for up to 1 day in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Add the herbs and toss before serving.
Enjoy this light entree salad, featuring fresh herbs, rice noodles, tender shrimp, and a tangy Vietnamese salad dressing, for a filling one-dish meal.
With no oil in the dressing, this salad is extremely light — perfect for hot weather. Rice noodles vary in terms of best cooking methods. Follow the instructions on the package if they differ from the ones provided below. This recipe is adapted from my book 101 One-Dish Dinners, available in the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Store.
More Healthy Seasonal Salads
Andrea Chesman cooks, writes, and teaches in Vermont, where she lives on a 1-acre homestead. She’s the author of many cookbooks, including Serving Up the Harvest and The Fat Kitchen. Her book 101 One-Dish Dinners is available below.
Hearty Recipes for the Dutch Oven, Skillet, and Casserole Pan
In 101 One-Dish Dinners, Andrea Chesman shows off the versatility of Dutch ovens, skillets, and casserole pans. Classic baked dishes, such as ham and potato gratin, chicken potpie, and vegetable lasagna go head-to-head with diverse stovetop suppers, such as jambalaya, seafood paella, and pad thai. For those looking for something a little lighter but still filling, there are plenty of meal-in-a-bowl salads and timeless soups. This title is available at our Mother Earth News store or by calling 800-234-3368. Mention promo code MMEPAKZ5. Item #8032
