Name: Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced; 3 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce; 2 teaspoons brown sugar; 2 pork tenderloins (3/4 pound each), cut into 1/2-inch slices; 1 package (8.8 ounces) vermicelli-style thin rice noodles; DRESSING:; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce; 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar; SALAD:; 2 cups shredded lettuce; 2 plum tomatoes, sliced; 1 medium cucumber, julienned; 2 medium carrots, julienned; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro; 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

Enjoy this Vietnamese noodle salad with pork, combining crisp vegetables, fresh herbs and tender pork in a bright lime dressing for a light, refreshing meal.

Ingredients

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 pork tenderloins (3/4 pound each), cut into 1/2-inch slices

1 package (8.8 ounces) vermicelli-style thin rice noodles

DRESSING:

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

SALAD:

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 plum tomatoes, sliced

1 medium cucumber, julienned

2 medium carrots, julienned

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

Instructions

1 Marinate the pork

2 In a large shallow dish, combine the jalapeno, lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar. Add the pork slices, ensuring they're well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least three hours, or ideally overnight. Editor's Tip: Wearing gloves is highly recommended when handling spicy peppers. This protects your skin from irritation and prevents accidental contact with your eyes or face, which can be painful.

3 Grill the pork

4 Drain the pork, discarding the marinade. On a lightly oiled grill rack, grill the pork, covered, over medium heat for one to two minutes on each side, ensuring it's cooked evenly (a thermometer should read 145°F). Look for a beautiful char as a sign of good flavor development.

5 Prepare the rice noodles

6 Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to the packet directions. Once they're done, rinse them in cold water and drain well. This ensures they don't stick together and are cooled down for the salad.

7 Make the dressing and assemble

8 In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Divide the rice noodles among your serving bowls, and layer the vegetables, pork and herbs on top. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to combine.