Soft, silky rice noodles are a textural delight, with a lively springiness that has them practically bouncing in your mouth , yet yielding completely when you bite down. Gentle in nature, they happily absorb the flavors of all manner of vegetables, herbs and seasonings, making them a versatile foundation for savory salads.

Here, the noodles are tossed with an equal amount of vegetables to keep things light and bright. Tomatoes add juiciness. Cucumbers, romaine lettuce and bean sprouts add crunch. Several cups of herbs — basil, mint and cilantro — add a zippy complexity.

But what really gives this salad its oomph is its dressing, a mix of brawny ground pork sautéed with lime and orange juices, fish sauce and plenty of ginger and garlic.