Lao-inspired Spicy Beef Salad

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar) 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 2 Thai bird's eye chilies, finely chopped 2 Thai bird's eye chilies, finely chopped
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mixed salad greens 1 cup mixed salad greens
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons toasted rice powder 2 tablespoons toasted rice powder

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 6g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and Thai bird's eye chilies to make the dressing. Set aside.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, marinate the beef slices with half of the dressing for about 15 minutes.
3. 3.
   Heat a grill or skillet over high heat. Cook the marinated beef slices for 2-3 minutes on each side until medium-rare. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
4. 4.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cucumber, carrot, shallot, cherry tomatoes, mixed salad greens, mint leaves, and cilantro leaves.
5. 5.
   Add the remaining dressing to the bowl and toss the salad ingredients until well coated.
6. 6.
   Slice the rested beef into thin strips and add it to the salad.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the toasted rice powder over the salad and gently toss to combine.
8. 8.
   Serve the Spicy Beef Salad immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For a more tender result, slice the beef against the grain.
• Thai bird's eye chilies — Adjust the amount of chilies according to your spice preference. Remove the seeds for a milder heat.
• Toasted rice powder — To make toasted rice powder, simply toast uncooked rice in a dry skillet until golden brown, then grind it into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the salad before serving.
• If you prefer a milder salad, remove the seeds from the Thai bird's eye chilies.
• To make the salad more filling, serve it with a side of steamed jasmine rice.
• Customize the salad by adding thinly sliced red bell peppers or bean sprouts for extra crunch.
• If you can't find palm sugar, substitute it with brown sugar or honey.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Beef Salad as a refreshing main course for lunch or dinner. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and a sprinkle of toasted rice powder for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the salad on a large platter, placing the marinated beef slices on top. Garnish with a few whole mint leaves and cilantro sprigs for an eye-catching display of colors.