Vietnamese Lemongrass Shrimp Salad With Vermicelli Bun Tom Xao Recipes

VIETNAMESE LEMONGRASS BEEF AND NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine sugar, rice vinegar and lime juice and stir to dissolve. Add fish sauce, garlic, ginger, chiles and 1/2 cup water and stir together. Let sit for 15 minutes for flavors to meld. (May be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.)
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add rice noodles, stir and turn off heat. Let noodles soften (5 to 8 minutes, depending on brand), then drain and rinse with cold water. Leave in colander at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, combine beef, fish sauce, sugar, garlic and lemon grass in a bowl. Massage seasoning into beef and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Line a serving bowl or four individual large wide soup bowls with a few lettuce leaves and top with noodles.
• Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. When wok is nearly smoking, add beef and quickly stir-fry until lightly browned and just cooked, about 2 minutes. Work in batches if necessary so meat browns and doesn't steam. (If you do not have a wok, you may use a cast iron skillet and work in batches.)
• Top noodles with cooked beef, scallions, carrot, cucumber and daikon. Sprinkle with herbs, crushed peanuts and fried shallots (add sprouts if using). Drizzle lightly with dipping sauce and pass remaining sauce at table.

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 LEMONGRASS SHRIMP SALAD WITH VERMICELLI - BUN TOM XAO

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot; stir in vermicelli.
• Cook until just tender and drain in colander.
• Flatten lemongrass with cleaver and mince white part; discard rest.
• Heat oil in wok; add garlic, lemongrass, and red pepper flakes.
• Cook until lemongrass is slightly wilted.
• Add onions and stir-fry until onions are tender.
• Mix fish sauce with sugar and add to wok with shrimp; stir-fry 3-4 minutes more or until shrimp is cooked.
• For each salad place 1 cup of lettuce in bottom of bowl.
• Top with 3/4 cup of bean sprouts.
• Place half the cooked noodles over vegetables in bowl.
• Top noodles with lemongrass shrimp and onions.
• Garnish with peanuts.
• Serve with a plate of cilantro sprigs and basil sprigs.
• Also serve a bowl of Nuoc Mam, recipe#25375, about 1/2-3/4 cup per salad.
• Place"Tuong Ot Sriracha" (Viet hot sauce) or sambal oeleck on the table as condiments.