Not so Paleo Vermicelli Bowl

VIETNAMESE "BUN"

This is a two-part recipe! So you have your ‘fish sauce’ since no one every knows the name of it (Nuoc Cham) and you have your vermicelli bowl – together they are a magical dish. Most people will enjoy this dish during the warmer days, as the chilled noodles and fresh vegetables are so refreshing and you top it off with barbecued meat! 

Ingredients
Vermicelli "Bun" Bowl

1 Pkg Vermicelli Rice Noodles (thin kind)

2 Chicken Breasts, butterflied (cut in half horizontally so it opens up flat)

1 Shallot, finely minced

2 Garlic Clove, finely minced

1/8 Cup Avocado Oil

½ Head of Iceberg Lettuce, cut into thin strips (julienne cut)

1 English Cucumber, cut into thin strips (julienne cut)

Fresh Mint

Fresh Thai Basil

Pickled Daikon and Carrots (optional)

Nuo Cham Sauce

1 Tbsp or ½ Lime Juice, freshly squeezed

1 Tsp Rice Vinegar
½ Cup Warm Water
½ Cup Fish Sauce (Red Boat brand is gluten-free)

½ Tsp Coconut Sugar
1 or 2 Small Garlic Cloves, finely minced
1 or 2 Thai Red Chilies, thinly sliced

Method

1. For the Sauce: Combine all ingredients together, mixing well until sugar dissolves. Make sure you taste it so it is to your preferred liking – some people like the more sour taste, and some prefer a sweeter, spicier finish – it’s up to you!
2. Marinate in a bowl, the chicken in the shallots, garlic and avocado oil for about an hour.
3. In the meantime, cook the vermicelli noodles according to package. Ensure when done cooking, noodles are strained in a colander and rinsed with cold water; drain and set aside.
4. Once chicken is done marinated, barbecue chicken until cooked through and still juicy – don’t overcook it and dry it out! Allow to sit for a minute before cutting into thin bite-size pieces.
5. To Make the "Bun Bowl": Divide the noodles into 4 serving bowls, and then divide out the lettuce and cucumber (pickled daikon and carrots if using as well) and top with chicken. Garnish with mint and basil leaves.
6. Serve with the Nuoc Cham sauce poured over – enjoy!