Ingredients

• Ingredients
  1. 1/2 pound boneless pork loin, trimmed of excess fat
  2. 1/2 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
  3. 1 large cucumber—peeled, seeded and cut into very thin 2-inch-long strips
  4. 2 teaspoons salt
  5. 6 tablespoons sugar
  6. 6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  7. 3 celery ribs, cut into thin 2-inch strips
  8. 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into long, thin strips
  9. l medium onion, thinly diced
  10. 1/3 cup chopped fresh coriander
  11. 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  12. 1/2 cup Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce
  13. 3 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying
  14. 24 dried shrimp chips
  15. 1/2 cup chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
  16. *Available at Asian markets

Directions

1. Put the pork into a small saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat and cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain, cool slightly and cut into thin 2-inch-long strips. Let cool to room temperature.
2. In a medium saucepan of boiling water, cook the shrimp until just opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then cut each shrimp in half lengthwise. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
3. Place the cucumber strips in a bowl and toss them with 1 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside for 5 minutes, then squeeze to remove any excess moisture.
4. In a measuring cup, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon salt with the sugar and vinegar. Put the celery, carrots and onion in 3 separate bowls. Toss each vegetable with 1/3 of the vinegar mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables and squeeze dry. Put them in a large bowl. Add the cucumber, pork, shrimp, 1/4 cup of the coriander and 2 tablespoons of the mint. Add the Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce and toss well.
5. In a large saucepan or a wok, heat the oil to 350°. Fry the shrimp chips, 5 or 6 at a time, until they expand fully and float on the surface, about 12 seconds. Try not to let the chips brown. Drain on paper towels.
6. Spoon the salad onto a large platter. Sprinkle the top with the remaining coriander, mint and the chopped peanuts. Scatter the shrimp chips around the salad.

Make Ahead

The shrimp and pork can be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated.

Notes

Shrimp chips are available at Asian markets.