Thai Beef Salad

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Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

This fresh and zesty salad is a perfect combination of savory beef and vibrant herbs, paired with a tangy dressing. It's light, full of flavour, and ideal for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Dressing
  • 1 tsp finely minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro/coriander stems
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp grapeseed oil (or canola or vegetable oil)
  • 1 small pinch of kosher salt
Salad
  • 500g beef steak
  • 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, peanut, or canola oil)
  • ¼ tsp salt and pepper
  • 2 heaped cups mixed lettuce leaves
  • A handful of snow peas
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ small red onion, very finely sliced
  • ½ cucumber, halved horizontally then sliced (about ⅓ cup)
  • 1 cup cilantro/coriander leaves, lightly packed
  • ¼ cup mint leaves, lightly packed

Method

  1. Make the Dressing:
    • Using a mortar and pestle, grind garlic, cilantro stems, and a pinch of salt into a smooth paste.
    • Add honey, fish sauce, lime juice, and oil. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning as needed (more lime juice or fish sauce to taste). Set aside.
    • Alternatively, finely mince the garlic, cilantro, and chili, then smear into a paste on a cutting board and shake with remaining dressing ingredients in a jar.
  2. Cook the Beef:
    • Preheat a skillet over high heat until smoking hot.
    • Drizzle the beef with ½ tbsp oil on both sides, season with salt and pepper, and cook to your preferred doneness.
    • Let the beef rest under foil for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
  3. Assemble the Salad:
    • Toss the lettuce in a bowl with 1 tbsp of the dressing.
    • Combine the sliced beef with snow peas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, cilantro, and mint in another bowl. Dress with most of the remaining dressing and toss gently.
    • Pile the dressed lettuce onto plates, top with the beef and salad mixture, and drizzle with any remaining dressing. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

Chef's Tips

  • Fresh is best: Use the freshest herbs possible for a vibrant flavour.
  • For the best results, let the beef rest before slicing to retain its juices.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

  • Calories: ~320
  • Protein: ~28g
  • Fat: ~18g
  • Carbohydrates: ~12g