Quick 'n Easy Vietnamese Chicken Salad

This light and refreshing Vietnamese Chicken Salad is really quick to make. It can be eaten alone as a light meal or served as a main meal, over steamed rice. Because I don't like my food too spicy, I omit the chilli, but I've left it in the ingredients listed. Some will no doubt want to increase the spiciness. When serving it to others, I've doubled the recipe and made two versions: one spicy, one not. And been very careful not to mix them up, by putting them in colour-coded serving bowls! Both versions have been eaten with enthusiasm, both by those who are familiar with Vietnamese cuisine and those who are not. Adapted from Lulu Grimes' book "Food: buy it fresh: Cook: cook it simply; Eat: eat it now". If you are serving this salad to guests, and planning ahead, it's worth going to an Asian greengrocer's and buying the authentic ingredients.