Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad

Mince the garlic with the cilantro and the hot pepper. Transfer the mixture to a bowl add the lime juice fish sauce or salt and sugar; stir well. Let the sauce sit for 5 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rice noodles; boil them for 2 minutes. Drain well. Rinse the noodles with cold water until they have cooled. Let them drain again.

Combine the sauce noodles carrots cucumber mint and Napa cabbage in a large serving bowl. Toss well and serve the salad garnished with the peanuts and mint sprigs.