Fifteen Kilograms of Imperfect Lemons

CHICKEN AND MARINADE

• ▢ 600 – 800g / 1.2 – 1.6lb chicken thigh fillets , skinless and boneless or breast (or pork, beef or any seafood)
• ▢ 1 stalk lemongrass , white part only, bruised them sliced into pieces easy to pick out later (Note 1)
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped or minced
• ▢ 2 tbsp lime juice
• ▢ 2 tbsp fish sauce (Note 2)
• ▢ 1 tbsp soy sauce (all purpose or light, NOT dark soy)
• ▢ 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp vegetable oil

NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE SAUCE)

• ▢ 1/4 cup fish sauce (Note 3)
• ▢ 4 tbsp rice vinegar
• ▢ 2 tbsp white sugar
• ▢ 1/2 cup water
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• ▢ 1 red birds eye chilli , finely chopped (Note 4)
• ▢ 3 tbsp lime juice

NOODLE BOWL

• ▢ 1/2 tbsp oil
• ▢ 200 g / 7 oz vermicelli noodles , dried
• ▢ 2 carrots , julienned
• ▢ 2 cucumbers , julienned (optional: remove seeds)
• ▢ 5 cups iceberg lettuce , finely sliced
• ▢ 3 cups bean sprouts
• ▢ Handful of mint leaves
• ▢ Handful of cilantro/coriander
• ▢ Sliced red chilli (for garnish – optional)
• ▢ Lime wedges (to serve – optional but recommended)