Nom Lote with Lemongrass Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped
• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken thighs 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken thighs
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the chopped lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Marinate the chicken thighs in the lemongrass mixture for at least 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let them rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips.
5. 5.
   In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice noodles, cucumber, carrot, red bell pepper, bean sprouts, mint leaves, and cilantro leaves.
6. 6.
   Add the sliced lemongrass grilled chicken to the bowl and toss everything together.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the top.
8. 8.
   Serve the Nom Lote immediately, drizzled with extra lime juice if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — To release the flavors, bruise the lemongrass stalks with the back of a knife before chopping them finely.
• Rice noodles — Make sure to cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions to achieve the perfect texture. Rinse them with cold water after cooking to prevent sticking.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh.
• Customize the vegetables according to your preference. You can add sliced radishes, shredded cabbage, or even blanched asparagus.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding sliced chili peppers or a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
• To save time, you can marinate the chicken overnight for a more intense flavor.
• Garnish with extra herbs and a squeeze of lime juice before serving for an added burst of freshness.

Serving advice

Serve the Nom Lote in individual bowls, allowing each person to customize their toppings and mix everything together. Provide extra lime wedges on the side for those who prefer a tangier taste.

Presentation advice

To make the dish visually appealing, arrange the sliced lemongrass grilled chicken on top of the noodles and vegetables. Sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the chicken for added texture and color. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or cilantro leaves.