Ban Sa (Vietnamese noodle salad)

This is simply a blind stab at replicating a meal I tried at the Vietnamese Restaurant near Old Street a couple of weeks ago. It worked and knocked the socks of my new landlady. Hope it works for you too!

Ingredients

Rice noodles (80g per person)
Fresh bean sprouts (3/4 cup per person)
Shredded assorted fresh veges eg. carrots, cabbage, red cabbage, red capsicums (small handful)
Spring onions - 1 sprig diced
Half of one red onion - thinly sliced
1 red chilli finely sliced
2 cloves garlice diced
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup fish sauce
Juice of one lime
Coriander - one bunch well sliced
Lean pork - sliced thinly (can be easily substituted by chicken, fish or firm tofu)
Dash of soy sauce
Cooking oil

Method

1. Marinate red onions, most of the crushed garlic, red chillis in lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar for at least 20 minutes. The salt in the fish sauce and the lime juice will take the sharp odur off the onions and garlic. Adjust amount of sauces and sugar to suit taste.
   
2. Pour boiling hot water onto uncooked rice sticks and cover for 5 minutes. Drain and rince with cold water immediately to prevent from further cooking. Drain well, roughly chop into smaller length with scissors and set aside.
   
3. Sear pork on high heat with oil, remainder of garlic and dash of soy sauce till cooked. Set aside.
4. Toss rest of the ingredients together and serve. Best accompanied by a crsip beer.