Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 -1 1/4 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), tofu or large prawns
  • ½ cup finely chopped lemongrass ( 3 stalks- white part)
  • ½ cup shallots, quartered
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp ground Chinese five spice
  • ¼ cup peanut or olive oil
  • 8 oz vermicelli rice noodles, cooked and cooled
  • 1 Red Bell pepper -sliced into thin strips
  • 1 English cucumber, halved and sliced, or cut into ribbons.
  • 1 daikon radish- grated or cut into matchsticks (or sub regular radish)
  • generous handful of fresh basil and mint leaves (Thai basil is great here)
  • optional additions: cilantro crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, microgreens
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice (or sub part rice vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or sub soy sauce, or make vegan fish sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • 1 red chile- medium spicy

Instruction

  •  Chop lemongrass into thin slices and place in a food processor and pulse repeatedly until very finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients- shallot, garlic, salt, sugar, five spice, and pulse until very finely chopped, add the oil and pulse to create a paste.
  • Massage the chicken thighs ( coat tofu or shrimp) with the marinade.  Let marinate 30 minutes, several hours or up to 48 hours for the most flavor!
  • according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water. Or if you prefer your noodles warm, rinse with hot water. 
  • slice the bell pepper, cucumber, and daikon radishes.
  • – mix lime juice, fish sauce, water, sugar until sugar dissolves then top with a few sliced chilies in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high.  Grill the chicken until deep grill marks appear, lower the heat, and cook all the way through. Place in a warm oven until ready to use. Slice.  Alternatively, you can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook on a grill pan. 
  • Place cooked noodles, fresh veggies, fresh herbs, grilled chicken, grouped together in a wide bowl, and spoon a little of the dressing over the noodles and veggies. Enjoy!!