Lemongrass Beef and Noodle Salad

it is a recipe i found on epicurious.com, has been a long time family favorite for my family.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• for marinade

• 2  stalks fresh lemongrass, outer leaves discarded and root end trimmed
• 6  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  tablespoons  asian fish sauce (preferably nuoc mam)
• 1  tablespoon soy sauce
• 4  teaspoons sugar
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  sesame oil
• 1 1⁄4 lbs  skirt steaks or 1 1⁄4 lbs  flank steaks
• 1⁄2 lb  vermicelli
• 1⁄2 cup fresh basil leaf, washed well and spun dry (preferably Thai basil)
• 1⁄2 cup fresh mint leaves, washed well and spun dry
• 1⁄2 cup fresh coriander leaves, washed well and spun dry
• 1  cup  nuoc cham sauce

• toasted rice powder

• 2 -4  small  asian chilies (1 to 2 inches long)

• garnish

•  Thai basil, mint or  coriander sprig

Directions

1. Make marinade:
2. Thinly slice lower 6 inches of lemongrass stalks, discarding remainder of stalks. In a food processor or blender finely grind together sliced lemongrass and garlic.Add remaining marinade ingredients and blend well.
3. soy sauce, fish sauce,sugar, vegetable oil, sesame oil.
4. In a large resealable plastic bag marinade and steak and seal bag, pressing out excess air. Marinate steak, chilled, turning bag once or twice, at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. In a large bowl soak noodles in hot water to cover 15 minutes, or until softened and pliable.
6. Prepare grill (or preheat broiler). Bring a kettle of salted water to a boil for noodles.
7. Discard marinade and grill steak on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 3 to 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. (Alternatively, steak may be broiled on rack of a broiler pan about 3 inches from heat about same amount of time.) Transfer steak to a cutting board and let stand 5 minutes.
8. While steak is cooking, drain noodles in a colander and cook in boiling water 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until just tender. In a colander drain noodles and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain noodles well.
9. In a large bowl toss noodles with herbs and half of nuoc cham. Divide cucumber among 4 bowls or plates and top with noodles. Sprinkle each serving with 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons rice powder. Thinly slice steak on the diagonal and divide among noodles, mounding it. Sprinkle chilies over each serving and garnish with herb sprigs. Serve remaining nuoc cham on the side.