RICE-STICK NOODLE SALAD WITH VIETNAMESE SHRIMP

Rice-Stick Noodle Salad with Vietnamese Shrimp image

Yield Makes 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

For dressing
1/3 cup Asian fish sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 pound large shrimp (16 to 20)
1/2 lemon
1 English cucumber
4 scallions
1/2 pound rice-stick noodles
1 cup fresh mint sprigs
1/2 cup fresh coriander sprigs
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts

Steps:

Make dressing:
In a bowl stir together all dressing ingredients until sugar is dissolved. Chill dressing, covered, 1 hour.
Shell and devein shrimp. In a large saucepan of salted boiling water cook shrimp with lemon 2 minutes, or until just cooked through. In a colander drain shrimp and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Halve shrimp lengthwise.
Halve cucumber lengthwise and seed. Cut cucumber halves and scallions crosswise into 2 1/2-inch pieces and cut pieces lengthwise into julienne strips.
In a bowl soak noodles in hot water to cover 15 minutes to soften. While noodles are soaking, in a 6-quart kettle bring 3 1/2 quarts salted water to a boil. Drain noodles in colander and cook in boiling water 45 seconds, or until just tender. Drain noodles in colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain noodles well and with scissors cut into 4-inch lengths.
Divide noodles, shrimp, vegetables, and dressing among 4 bowls and sprinkle with herbs and peanuts. To eat, pull herbs from sprigs and toss with noodles.