Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad With Sweet Chili Vinaigrette Food

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN VERMICELLI SALAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine sugar and ½ cup water. In the microwave or stove-top, heat another 1/3 cup of water and set aside.
• Heat saucepan with sugar over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Then, stop stirring and allow mixture to boil, untouched, for about 10-12 minutes, until mixture turns a deep golden brown.
• Turn off the heat and pour in the additional hot water- do this very quickly and carefully so that you do not burn yourself. Mixture will sputter and bubble up a bit and then settle down.
• Stir until caramel becomes liquid-y. Set mixture aside to cool.
• Meanwhile prepare a second bowl with shallots, soy sauce, fish sauce, and olive oil. When caramel sauce is cool to the touch, add the caramel sauce to the shallot mixture.
• In marinating dish (or ziplock) add chicken and pour marinade over the meat.
• Marinate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add vermicelli and boil per package instructions; mine took 5 minutes. Drain into a colander and run cold water over the noodles until they are cool to the touch. Set aside to drain while you prepare your remaining ingredients.
• Combine water, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, vinegar, garlic, thai chili, shredded cucumber, and shredded carrot. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside.
• Brush a grill pan with vegetable oil and bring to high heat.
• Remove chicken from marinade and blot with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side or until chicken is completely cooked through.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
• Prepare the noodle bowls by distributing a handful of lettuce, ¼ portion of noodles, and top with shredded carrot, cucumber, chopped peanuts, mint, and cilantro to taste.
• Top salads with sliced grilled chicken.
• Separate the Nuoc Cham into 4 portions for serving. Pour sauce over salad and mix immediately prior to eating.
• Makes 4 noodle bowls.

VERMICELLI NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes for the flavours to infuse.
• Prepare vermicelli noodles per packet directions (usually soak in warm or boiling water 2 minutes). Drain well then set aside for 10 minutes to drain off exces water. Turn out onto tea towel if necessary to dry more (watery noodles = watery flavour).
• Combine vermicelli noodles with remaining salad ingredients.
• Just prior to serving, toss through dressing. Garnish with Fried Asian Shallots if you wish.

BUN GA NUONG (CHICKEN AND VERMICELLI)

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken breasts in the garlic, shallots, salt, pepper and the vegetable oil for 20 to 60 minutes.
• Bring three quarts of water to a boil. Add the rice vermicelli and cook three to four minutes or until it is almost soft. Strain in a colander and set aside.
• Grill the chicken on both sides until done. Cut into bite-size pieces.
• In each of four bowls, divide the lettuce and cucumbers. Top with the vermicelli. Arrange the chicken on top of the vermicelli.
• Combine the ingredients for the chili vinaigrette and mix together thoroughly. Pour three to four tablespoons of the chili vinaigrette on each salad. Sprinkle with fresh mint and peanuts and serve.