Grilled Pork and Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs (Bún Chả)

1. Cook Rice Vermicelli

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice vermicelli and cook for 4 to 12 minutes, checking frequently to ensure they are tender but not mushy. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold running water until cool. Spread the noodles on a large plate and let them stand at room temperature to dry.

2. Prepare Vegetables

Arrange the torn lettuce, sliced cucumber, cilantro, and mint on a large platter. Place the platter in the refrigerator to keep the vegetables crisp and cool.

3. Prepare Sauce

In a mortar and pestle, mash the Thai chile, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and garlic into a paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can use the side of a chef's knife to achieve the same result. Transfer the paste to a medium bowl and add 2/3 cup of hot water and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Then, stir in the fish sauce and lime juice to complete the sauce.

4. Prepare Pork Patties

Combine the minced shallot, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1.5 teaspoons of sugar, baking soda, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the ground pork and mix until the ingredients are well combined. Shape the pork mixture into 12 patties, each about 2.5 inches wide and 0.5 inch thick.

5. Grill Pork Patties

If you're using a charcoal grill, prepare it by lighting 6 quarts of charcoal briquettes in a chimney starter. After about 5 minutes, when the coals are hot, arrange them evenly in the grill and place the cooking grate on top. For a gas grill, preheat it for about 15 minutes on high, then clean and oil the grate. Grill the pork patties over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until they are well-charred and cooked through.

6. Toss Patties in Sauce

Once the patties are grilled, toss them in the prepared sauce and let them stand for about 5 minutes to soak up the flavors.

7. Serve

To serve, arrange the noodles and salad on separate plates. If desired, you can remove the pork patties from the sauce before serving or serve them as they are. Enjoy your Grilled Pork and Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs (Bún Chả)!