Remove one cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain pasta, return the noodles to the empty pot and stir in the water a little bit at a time until the noodles stop absorbing the liquid.

Mix together the oil, vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, sesame oil, ginger, salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Add the warm noodles and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Layer the cucumber, carrots, lettuce , bean sprouts and basil on top of the dressed noodles. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Toss just before servings.

You really can't go wrong with a good German Riesling, Auslese or Spatlese. L.W.E.

Variation: Make a one-dish meal by adding one pound of cooked shrimp just before serving. K.T.