RECIPE

Beef Satays over Thai Salad

  • Contributed by Quick From Scratch Herbs & Spices
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

The salad that lies beneath the succulent chunks of sirloin here jump-starts the taste buds—romaine, cucumber, carrots, mint, and cilantro with a Thai dressing of fish sauce, lemon juice, and rice vinegar. It's refreshing, light, and perfect fro a warm summer evening.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST

Ingredients

  • 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

Directions

  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.

Notes

Asian fish sauce is available at Asian markets and many supermarkets.