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Cellophane-Noodle Salad with Roast Pork

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Cellophane-Noodle Salad with Roast Pork Martyn Thompson
  • Active Time

    1 1D2 hr

  • Total Time

    7 hr

This noodle salad, studded with slices of sweet mango and crisp cucumber, is a cooling oasis in the midst of a meal packed with rich, spicy dishes. The glazed roast pork gives the salad added dimension, but could also be served on its own.

Ingredients

Makes 10 first-course servings

For pork

1 (1-lb) solid piece boneless pork butt (shoulder), halved along the grain
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Chinese rice wine or sake
1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt

For dressing

3/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup peanut or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 large fresh jalapeño chile, seeded and minced

For salad

8 oz very thin bean-thread noodles (also known as cellophane, glass, or mung bean noodles)
3/4 lb Chinese long beans (1 bunch) or green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
1 seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped; about 1 lb), halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally 1/8 inch thick
1 bunch scallions, cut into matchsticks
1 firm-ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
2 thin carrots, cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh small basil leaves
  1. Make pork:

    Step 1

    Cut pork along the grain into long 1 1/2- to 2-inch-wide strips. Remove and discard any sinew but do not trim fat. Transfer pork to a large sealable plastic bag. Stir together remaining pork ingredients in a small bowl until combined well. Add to pork and turn to coat, then squeeze bag to eliminate as much air as possible and seal. Marinate pork, chilled, at least 4 hours but no longer than 24.

    Step 2

    Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. Put 1/2 inch water in a 13- by 9-inch roasting pan and place a metal rack across top of pan (rack should not touch water).

    Step 3

    Remove pork from marinade, reserving marinade, and arrange pork strips 1 inch apart on rack. Roast in oven 15 minutes.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, bring marinade to a boil in a 1-quart saucepan, then boil 1 minute (marinade may look curdled). Remove from heat.

    Step 5

    Brush both sides of pork with some marinade and roast 10 minutes more. Generously brush both sides of pork with marinade again and roast, basting 2 or 3 times, 10 minutes more.

    Step 6

    Increase oven temperature to 400°F and roast pork until strips are mahogany-colored and caramelized on edges, 10 to 15 minutes more (pork should roast for a total of about 50 minutes). Transfer to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 10 minutes.

  2. Make dressing while pork roasts:

    Step 7

    Blend together all dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth. Stir before using.

  3. Cook noodles and beans for salad while pork finishes roasting:

    Step 8

    Soak noodles in cold water to cover until pliable, about 15 minutes, then drain in a colander. Cut noodles in half with kitchen shears.

    Step 9

    Cook beans in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer with a skimmer or slotted spoon to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, reserving cooking liquid in pot. Drain beans and pat dry.

    Step 10

    Return bean-cooking liquid to a boil, then cook noodles, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain noodles in colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain noodles again, then spread out on paper towels and pat dry.

  4. Assemble salad:

    Step 11

    Cut as much pork as desired for salad across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

    Step 12

    Toss noodles with 1/4 cup dressing in a bowl. Toss long beans with 2 tablespoons dressing in another bowl.

    Step 13

    Arrange pork, noodles, beans, and remaining salad ingredients on a large platter. Drizzle with some of dressing and serve remaining dressing on the side.

Cooks' notes:

· You can substitute pork tenderloin for the pork butt. · Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Bring to room temperature before using. · The intensity of the flavor fades when the pork is sliced, so cut it as needed. Unsliced pork keeps, wrapped in foil and chilled, up to 3 days, or frozen, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a sealed plastic bag, up to 1 month.

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  • This was surprisingly tasty, but I found the directions hard to follow. So, we seared the meat on the grill and then let it roast over indirect heat. I also am not sure if my noodles had the proper texture. This recipe was a lot of work - but it was so good I'm sure we will have it again.

    • KristenM

    • Phoenix, AZ

    • 3/9/2011

  • This recipe appears time intensive, but it really is not. The slicing of the pork, laying it out the next day for the baking process are the worst of the time. I have made this several times for family and friends, always to rave reviews. The caramelized sweetness of the meat complements the tanginess of the dressing. The kids love to pick and choose their herb garnish, and we love having chopped peanuts as well as lime slices available as extra garnish. This can be served with or without the mango. It is much, much more filling than one would expect, thus is served as an entree in our home. This is very similar to Vietnamese Vermicelli with grilled meat and salad. Process could be used with beef or chicken.

    • Anonymous

    • 12/30/2009

  • This is a very tasty salad but way to much work. It was a 3 day project between cutting the meat, marinating it, cooking it, and making the salad and dressing. Prepare to put major time aside. I can't see making it again.

    • carlahinkle

    • 3/20/2008

  • What a great summer salad. I also added some blanched snow peas. My kids loved making their own combinations of salad ingredients. The dressing was great.

    • thesaxes

    • washington, DC

    • 6/9/2006

  • Very tasty. I've had versions of this salad at a vietnamese restaurant where it's served rolled up in rice paper. A swell presentation for a buffet or picnic.

    • corpdeity

    • Cincinnati, OH

    • 6/3/2006

  • Refreshing summertime salad! I marinated and grilled a pork tenderloin instead of the butt, wonderful marinade. I loved the freshness of the herbs and dressing. I wasn't fond of the carrots and will only use half a an english cucumber next time.

    • Anonymous

    • Boston, MA

    • 6/1/2006

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