Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad with Halloumi
This fresh and zingy rice noodle salad with slices of halloumi is drizzled with the most moreish Vietnamese-inspired dressing. It's the perfect light and healthy summer dish and will be ready in just 20 minutes.
Introduction
When I’m craving something light yet zingy and full of flavour, my taste buds often lead me here. Inspired by the classic Vietnamese salad bún cha, which features rice noodles and pork, this recipe instead uses halloumi as the main element. Halloumi’s irresistible saltiness works beautifully alongside the fragrant herbs, sweet, spicy dressing, crunchy peanuts and crisp lettuce.
Ingredients
| For the carrot pickle: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | carrot, julienned |
| 3 tbsp | rice vinegar |
| ½ tsp | sugar |
| A pinch of | salt |
| For the dressing: | |
| 2 tbsp | fish sauce |
| 1 small clove of | garlic, crushed |
| 1 | red chilli, finely chopped (deseed if you prefer a milder heat) |
| 2 tbsp | lime juice (approx. 1½ limes) |
| 1 tbsp | rice vinegar |
| 2 tsp | sugar |
| 1 tsp | water |
| For the salad: | |
| 100g | vermicelli rice noodles |
| neutral oil, to fry | |
| 125g | halloumi, cut into slices |
| 1 tbsp | sweet chilli sauce |
| A handful of | fresh mint leaves |
| A handful of | fresh coriander leaves |
| 1 | little gem lettuce |
| 2 tbsp | salted peanuts, chopped |
| 1 | lime, cut into wedges |
Method
Combine the ingredients for the carrot pickle in a bowl and set aside.
Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, then drain and rinse. Set aside.
Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl. Taste and add any extra fish sauce, lime or sugar as needed. Set aside.
Heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat and add a drizzle of oil.
When hot, add the halloumi and cook for 1 minute or so on each side, until golden. Turn off the heat, then drizzle over the sweet chilli sauce and coat.
To serve, divide the noodles, herbs, lettuce, carrot pickle and halloumi between two plates. Pour the dressing over the noodles and salad. Scatter over the peanuts and serve with wedges of lime.
Vegan: Use soy instead of fish sauce, and crispy fried tofu instead of halloumi.
