This recipe is an absolute favorite of mine because it’s a quick and easy way to indulge in some vibrant flavors that transport me straight to the heart of Southeast Asia. Plus, the combination of shrimp, ground pork, fresh herbs, and tangy dressing is just the refreshing pick-me-up I need on any day!
I enjoy putting together lively plates, and this Glass Noodle Salad is one of my go-tos. With 100 grams of glass noodles, 200 grams of shrimp, and a selection of 100 grams of ground pork or chicken for protein, it strikes a very nice balance of flavor and nutrition.
The very fresh herbs—cilantro and mint—pop with a flavor and fragrance that is so pleasant and unusual. I love these two herbs with seafood.
Add a hit of lime juice and a drizzle of fish sauce to go with the greeting of the salad from the fresh herbs and you have a very easy, very scrumptious plate of food that is also healthy.
Ingredients
Array
Ingredient Quantities
- 100 grams of glass noodles
- 200 grams of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 100 grams of ground pork or chicken
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 1 small cucumber, julienned
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons of roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1-2 Thai bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Prepare the Glass Noodles
Let the glass noodles marinate in hot water for roughly 10 minutes or until they reach a tender state. Let them drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp and Pork
In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook until they are pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet, add the ground pork or chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Mix the Dressing
In a tiny bowl, mix together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, chilies, and ground garlic. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
4. Combine the Ingredients
Put the softened glass noodles, cooked shrimp, and ground pork or chicken in a large bowl.
5. Add Vegetables
Include in the bowl with the proteins and noodles the carrot cut into matchsticks, the cucumber cut into matchsticks, and the red onion cut into thin wedges.
6. Toss with Dressing
Drizzle the salad with the dressing. Toss the salad gently to combine. Make sure the noodles and other ingredients are well coated.
7. Add Herbs
The fresh cilantro and mint leaves are added to the salad. Once more, everything is gently tossed.
8. Final Touch
Scatter the top of the salad with the peanuts. Make sure the peanuts are chopped and roasted first.
9. Adjust Seasoning
Sample the salad and modify the seasoning to suit your taste, using additional lime juice or fish sauce if you wish.
10. Serve
Move the salad to a dish for serving it to the family. Wow them and yourself, for they’ve re-done you just as you’ve re-done them. Enjoy us immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Equipment Needed
1. Medium skillet
2. Large bowl
3. Small bowl
4. Cutting board
5. Sharp knife
6. Measuring spoons
7. Measuring cups
8. Tongs or salad tossers
9. Strainer or colander
10. Peeler or julienne peeler
FAQ
-
Q: Can I substitute glass noodles with another type of noodle?
A: Yes, you can use rice vermicelli noodles as a substitute, but the texture will be slightly different. -
Q: Is there a vegetarian option for this salad?
A: Absolutely, you can replace shrimp and ground pork or chicken with tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version. -
Q: How do I prepare the glass noodles?
A: Soak them in hot water for about 5-7 minutes until they are soft, then drain and rinse with cold water. -
Q: What is a good alternative to fish sauce?
A: Soy sauce is a common substitute for fish sauce, though it will impart a different flavor. -
Q: Can the salad be made ahead of time?
A: It’s best served fresh, but you can prepare the components ahead and assemble just before serving to ensure freshness. -
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: The spiciness depends on the number of chilies used. Start with one and adjust to your preference.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap out the glass noodles for rice vermicelli, and you have a dish with a slightly different texture.
Substitute shrimp for tofu, a vegetarian option.
Instead of using ground pork or chicken, use ground turkey for a leaner protein alternative.
Swap peanuts with cashews or omit for a version free of nuts.
Soy sauce can be used in place of fish sauce for a more vegetarian-friendly option.
Select fish sauce substitutions for a low-sodium alternative.
Soy sauce.
Use soy sauce as a substitute for standard fish sauce.
Pro Tips
1. Balance Flavor with Dressing: To achieve the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy in the dressing, start with the given quantities, then adjust the lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar to your personal preference. Always taste and tweak the seasoning until it suits your palate.
2. Noodle Texture: After soaking the glass noodles, ensure they are well-drained and lightly pat them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This will help the dressing cling better to the noodles, enhancing flavor distribution.
3. Herb Freshness: For maximum aroma and flavor, chop the cilantro and mint just before adding them to the salad. Avoid adding them too early, as they can wilt quickly and lose their vibrant taste.
4. Peanut Enhancement: To intensify the peanut flavor, consider toasting them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they become fragrant before chopping them. This will add a deeper, roasted flavor to your salad.
5. Chili Control: If you’re sensitive to heat, start with a smaller amount of chopped bird’s eye chilies and gradually add more until you reach your desired spice level. Removing the seeds can also help reduce the spiciness.
Glass Noodle Salad Recipe
My favorite Glass Noodle Salad Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Medium skillet
2. Large bowl
3. Small bowl
4. Cutting board
5. Sharp knife
6. Measuring spoons
7. Measuring cups
8. Tongs or salad tossers
9. Strainer or colander
10. Peeler or julienne peeler
Ingredients:
- 100 grams of glass noodles
- 200 grams of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 100 grams of ground pork or chicken
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 1 small cucumber, julienned
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons of roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1-2 Thai bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Glass Noodles
Let the glass noodles marinate in hot water for roughly 10 minutes or until they reach a tender state. Let them drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp and Pork
In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook until they are pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet, add the ground pork or chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Mix the Dressing
In a tiny bowl, mix together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, chilies, and ground garlic. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
4. Combine the Ingredients
Put the softened glass noodles, cooked shrimp, and ground pork or chicken in a large bowl.
5. Add Vegetables
Include in the bowl with the proteins and noodles the carrot cut into matchsticks, the cucumber cut into matchsticks, and the red onion cut into thin wedges.
6. Toss with Dressing
Drizzle the salad with the dressing. Toss the salad gently to combine. Make sure the noodles and other ingredients are well coated.
7. Add Herbs
The fresh cilantro and mint leaves are added to the salad. Once more, everything is gently tossed.
8. Final Touch
Scatter the top of the salad with the peanuts. Make sure the peanuts are chopped and roasted first.
9. Adjust Seasoning
Sample the salad and modify the seasoning to suit your taste, using additional lime juice or fish sauce if you wish.
10. Serve
Move the salad to a dish for serving it to the family. Wow them and yourself, for they’ve re-done you just as you’ve re-done them. Enjoy us immediately for the best flavor and texture.
