Beef Satays over Thai Salad

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Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
2. 4 stalks lemongrass, bottom third only, peeled and minced
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. 3 tablespoons cooking oil
5. 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
6. 2 3/4 teaspoons sugar
7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
8. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
9. 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc mam)
10. 1 tablespoon water
11. 3/4 teaspoon rice-wine vinegar
12. Pinch dried red-pepper flakes
13. 1 small head romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips (about 1 quart)
14. 2 carrots, grated
15. 1 cucumber, peeled, halved, seeded, and diced
16. 1/2 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
17. 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1. In a medium shallow glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the steak, lemongrass, half the garlic, the oil,1 1/2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon of the sugar, the salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. In a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the fish sauce, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garlic, and 2 teaspoons sugar, the water, vinegar, and red-pepper flakes.
3. In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the romaine, carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and mint.
4. Light the grill or heat the broiler. Thread the steak onto eight skewers. Grill or broil the meat, turning, until done to your taste, about 5 minutes for medium rare. Toss the dressing with the salad and serve topped with the satays.