Vietnamese-Style Pork Noodle Salad
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower, Claire Spollen
Think of this refreshing salad as a deconstructed spring roll: cool rice noodles, crisp vegetables, and a sweet-and-spicy vinaigrette instead of a dipping sauce. Top it all off with savory stir-fried pork.
How to Make It
Step 1
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add noodles; cook 3 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water. Drain.
Step 2
Place onion in a bowl of ice water; let stand 10 minutes. Drain. Combine 2 tablespoons juice, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, garlic, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and black pepper. Add pork; toss.
Step 3
Combine remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup hot water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add remaining 3 tablespoons juice, remaining 1 tablespoon fish sauce, and crushed red pepper. Add noodles, onion, spinach, carrot, and cilantro; toss.
Step 4
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add oil; swirl. Add pork mixture; stir-fry 4 minutes. Divide spinach mixture among 6 plates; top evenly with pork.
You May Like
Nice warm salad
My family enjoyed this. I ended up doubling the rice noodles (teenage boy) and added some more spinach. It has a nice Vietnamese flavor.
Very good
Went together easily and was very flavorful. Will make again. Could've used some chopped dry roasted peanuts on the top. Next time.
poorly constructed recipe, but good results
This was pulled from an article "25-minutes-or-less" -- can't see any possible way for one person to prep & cook & plate in that time. We followed directions except cut the pork into medallions then into strips. Used regular leaf spinach torn into smaller pieces. Great combo of flavors, colors & textures. If we were to make again, would prep an extra portion of sauce (from step #3) to serve at the table, for those who might like a little more.
Perfect summer supper!
Outstanding recipe! I agree with a previous comment...hands on time is longer than 22 minutes, even with two people sharing the preparation. First, the recipe would leave dinner guests hungry if you planned on serving 6 people...4 would be adequate. I cubed the pork also...rather than cut in 1" pieces...an excellent summer evening supper on the porch!! Step #2 could be rewritten to separate the onion prep from the sauce-pork mix.
A hit all-around
Made this tonight but used the end of a pork loin cut into cubes. The flavor was excellent. It was a great summer/spring salad that the whole family (including a 4yr old) really enjoyed.
seaside725
Definitely needs more than 22 minutes to prepare.
Great salad
My husband and I LOVED this salad. Great flavor and not a heavy meal which is perfect for the hot Texas evenings. We added crushed peanuts for some crunch. Will be making this again and again.
Really Good!
My entire family,including teenagers,were wowed by this recipe. Came together fast,has authentic flavor,and will be added to our regular rotation.
Recipe could better better formatted and written