RICE NOODLES WITH CILANTRO, MINT AND PEANUTS

Rice Noodles with Cilantro, Mint and Peanuts image

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 sweet onion (such as Vidalia), thinly sliced, separated into rings
8 ounces firm dried rice noodles
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 large cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, thinly sliced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped lightly salted cocktail peanuts

Steps:

Whisk vinegar and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Add onion rings and toss to coat. Cover and let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons vinegar mixture.
Cook noodles in large pot of boiling water until tender but still firm to bite, about 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Drain well.
Whisk lime juice, oil and crushed red pepper in small bowl to blend. Stir in mint and cilantro. Using kitchen shears, cut noodles into 3- to 4-inch-long sections. place handful of noodles in large bowl. Drizzle with reserved 2 tablespoons vinegar mixture and toss to coat. Add remaining noodles, cucumber, green onions, tomatoes and marinated onions. Drizzle lime juice mixture over and toss gently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.