Vietnamese Noodle Salad With Lemongrass Shrimp

Name: Vietnamese Noodle Salad With Lemongrass Shrimp
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 8 ounces dried rice vermicelli; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 shallots, thinly sliced; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 tablespoon minced fresh lemongrass; 2 cups sliced white mushrooms; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; kosher salt or sea salt; 2 cups washed and shredded romaine lettuce, red or 2 cups green leaf lettuce; 2 cups fresh crisp bean sprouts; 1 1/2 cups peeled peeled seeded and julienned cucumbers; 1/3-1/2 cup mint leaf, rough chopped; 1/3-1/2 cup basil or 1/3-1/2 cup Thai basil, rough chopped; 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts; 12 sprigs fresh cilantro; vietnamese dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham)

Submitted by gailanng

"No fresh lemongrass? It can be purchased in a tube in the produce department called Gourmet Garden, but if pushed, you can substitute an equal amount of lemon zest. Warm lemongrass-scented stir-fried shrimp contrast with the cool rice noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, and cucumbers in this one-dish meal, making an especially refreshing summer supper. A recipe from Mai Pham."

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Ready In:: 1hr
Ingredients:: 18
Serves:: 4

ingredients

For the noodles
8 ounces dried rice vermicelli
For the shrimp
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon minced fresh lemongrass
2 cups sliced white mushrooms
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
kosher salt or sea salt
For the garnishes
2 cups washed and shredded romaine lettuce, red or 2 cups green leaf lettuce
2 cups fresh crisp bean sprouts
1 ¹⁄₂ cups peeled peeled seeded and julienned cucumbers
¹⁄₃ - ¹⁄₂ cup mint leaf, rough chopped
¹⁄₃ - ¹⁄₂ cup basil or 1/3-1/2 cup Thai basil, rough chopped
2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
12 sprigs fresh cilantro
vietnamese dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham)

directions

To cook the noodles:
Bring a medium potful of water to a rolling boil. Add the rice vermicelli and, stirring often, cook them until the strands are soft and white, but still resilient, 3 to 5 minutes. Don't be tempted to undercook them, as they must be fully cooked to absorb the flavors of the dish. Rinse them in a colander under cold water just until they're cool and the water runs clear. Let the noodles drain in the colander for 30 minutes, and then set them aside for up to 2 hours, unrefrigerated.
To cook the shrimp:
In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the shallots and garlic, quickly stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and lemongrass; stir-fry for about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sprinkle with the fish sauce, sugar, and a little salt. Stir-fry until the shrimp is cooked and the mushrooms are wilted, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
To assemble the salads:
Divide the lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, mint, and basil among four large soup or pasta bowls. Fluff the noodles with your fingers and divide them among the prepared salad bowls. Put the shrimp topping on the noodles and garnish each bowl with the peanuts and cilantro. Pass the nuoc cham at the table; each diner should drizzle about 3 Tbs. over the salad and then toss the salad in the bowl a few times with two forks or chopsticks before eating.