Step 1

Pickle first - Put the boiling water, salt and sugar in a bowl. Mix to to dissolve, then add vinegar. Submerge vegetables and leave for 2 hours. Drain then use per recipe (or store in fridge submerged in liquid).

Step 2

Peanut sauce - Mix the peanut sauce ingredients and set aside for the flavours to meld while you prepare the platter. Start with 1 tbsp lime juice and add more if you want tarter.

Step 3

Prawns (shrimp) - Cut the prawns in half horizontally and remove the vein.

Step 4

Noodles - Soak the noodles in boiling water per packet directions. Rinse under cold water (to prevent stickiness) then drain very well.

Step 5

Lay it all out - Pile everything onto a giant platter or put things in little bowls, then let everybody help themselves!

Step 6

Assemble - Here's my order: lettuce leaf, noodles first, then veg* (carrots, bean sprouts etc), prawns, stuff herbs down the side, drizzle with sauce, sprinkle with peanuts and chilli. Bundle and bite!