Vietnamese Steak Noodle Salad Recipes

VIETNAMESE STEAK AND NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, brown sugar, chili paste, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and 2 tablespoons of the green onions. Pour half of the mixture into a large resealable bag and add the steak. Reserve the other half.
• Marinate the steak either at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight. If you marinate overnight, allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking.
• Cook the rice noodles according to package directions and set aside. If there are no directions on the package, submerge the noodles in cold water until softened, about an hour, and then place in boiling water until tender, 1-2 minutes. The noodles should be slightly soft but with some bounce. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
• Pat the steak dry and then brush it on both sides with the vegetable oil. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan like a cast iron over high heat. Sear the steak until it reaches medium-rare and a golden-brown crust forms, about 2 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the other (depending on the thickness of the meat).
• Remove the steak from the pan, transfer it to a plate, cover with foil, and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
• Wipe out the cast iron pan and then add in 1 cup of the vegetable oil. Prepare a paper towel-lined plate nearby.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat and then add the shallot rings. Cook, stirring frequently until the shallots begin to bubble and turn golden-brown about 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shallots from the oil, place them on the paper towels, and sprinkle with salt.
• Thinly slice the steak against the grain. Evenly divide the rice noodles, lettuce, and steak among bowls and top with the remaining green onions, cucumber, radishes, and red onion.
• Garnish with the remaining marinade/dressing, fried shallots, mint, cilantro, and peanuts. Serve with lime wedges, jalapenos, and chili paste.

VIETNAMESE BEEF NOODLE SALAD BOWLS

Steps:

• Make the Vietnamese dipping sauce, in advance if possible (e.g. the day before). Cover with cling wrap and set aside until needed.
• Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Mix in the beef strips and set aside.
• Prep the vegetables.
• Cook your rice noodles as directed on the packaging and leave it in a strainer until needed.
• Bring a large fry pan or skillet to high temperature. Add 1 tbsp of oil and flash fry the beef strips until medium/medium-rare.

VIETNAMESE-STYLE RICE-NOODLE AND STEAK SALAD

Steps:

• Place the rice sticks in large bowl. Cover completely with boiling water and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
• In a mortar and pestle (or small-capacity blender), mash the garlic, jalapeño and sugar to a paste. Transfer to a small bowl; whisk in the fish sauce, 1/4 cup water and lime juice. Toss some of the dressing, a few tablespoons at a time, with the noodles, tasting as you go, until the flavor is to your liking; use up to half the dressing. Add 6 tablespoons nuts, 1 tablespoon mint and 1 tablespoon basil. Toss well.
• Whisk the peanut oil into the remaining dressing. In a large bowl, toss together the radicchio, remaining 1 cup mint, remaining 1 cup basil and cucumber. Pour enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the greens; reserve some dressing for the meat.
• Arrange the salad on a large platter. Top with the noodles. Arrange the steak over the noodles and spoon additional dressing over the meat if desired. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons peanuts and cilantro, if using.

VIETNAMESE-STYLE GRILLED STEAK WITH NOODLES

Steps:

• In a kettle of boiling salted water boil the capellini until it is just tender and drain it in a colander. Rinse the capellini under cold water and drain it well. While the noodles are boiling, in a blender blend the vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, the soy sauce, the garlic, the sugar, the red pepper flakes, the salt, and the anchovy paste until the sauce is smooth. In a bowl toss the noodles with the sauce and the shredded mint.
• Heat a well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderately high heat until it is hot and in it grill the steaks, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they are springy to the touch, for medium-rare meat. (Alternatively the steaks may be grilled on an oiled rack set 4 to 5 inches over glowing coals for the same amount of time.) Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let them stand for 5 minutes. Cut the steaks into thin slices.
• Divide the noodles between 2 plates, mounding them, arrange the slices of steak on them, and surround the noodles with the bean sprouts and the bell pepper. Garnish each serving with a mint sprig.

VIETNAMESE LEMONGRASS BEEF AND NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine sugar, rice vinegar and lime juice and stir to dissolve. Add fish sauce, garlic, ginger, chiles and 1/2 cup water and stir together. Let sit for 15 minutes for flavors to meld. (May be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.)
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add rice noodles, stir and turn off heat. Let noodles soften (5 to 8 minutes, depending on brand), then drain and rinse with cold water. Leave in colander at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, combine beef, fish sauce, sugar, garlic and lemon grass in a bowl. Massage seasoning into beef and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Line a serving bowl or four individual large wide soup bowls with a few lettuce leaves and top with noodles.
• Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. When wok is nearly smoking, add beef and quickly stir-fry until lightly browned and just cooked, about 2 minutes. Work in batches if necessary so meat browns and doesn't steam. (If you do not have a wok, you may use a cast iron skillet and work in batches.)
• Top noodles with cooked beef, scallions, carrot, cucumber and daikon. Sprinkle with herbs, crushed peanuts and fried shallots (add sprouts if using). Drizzle lightly with dipping sauce and pass remaining sauce at table.