Neua Nam Tok (Vietnamese Grilled Beef Salad)

AB_Fan's Note:

From The Best Recipes in The World by Mark Bittman. Cook time does not include time to heat grill or preheat broiler. This can be an appetizer or a main dish if served with rice.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 1/2 lbs steak, about 1 inch thick (strip cut works best)
• salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup nam pla
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 2 small fresh chili peppers, preferably Thai that have been steamed and seeded and minced or 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 cups green leaf lettuce (or combination of green and red lettuces)
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut in half lengthwise, and sliced
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:

1. Preheat a grill or broiler. Sprinkle the steak with salt and pepper, then grill for about 4 minutes per side or until medium-rare. Remove from the heat and let rest for about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together the nam pla, lime juice, farlic, shallots, chiles, and sugar. Cut the steak into 1/4 inch slices and immediately toss the steak with the dressing.
3. Place the lettuce, cucumber, mint, and cilantro on a plate and top with the steak and dressing. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[RonaNZ]

My favourite type of meal - and this one did not disappoint with its salty and sour flavours. I forgot to buy shallots and used chilli sauce, otherwise made as written and it was delicious, AND low in fat as well!

[realbirdlady]

Basic family cooking, quick and tasty. This is a spicy dish - if you're not sure about this flavor combination, it might be good to reduce the red pepper and the fish sauce the first time, with more lime. I used vietnamese fish sauce (nước mắm) instead of thai, with red pepper flakes instead of whole peppers. We ate it over chopped cabbage, which was ok, but a chinese cabbage would probably be better.

[mary winecoff]

The fish sauce really comes through on this dish...it is very salty. I served mine over rice with cucumbers on top and the meat next to it. I think next time I will try to marinate the meat in the sauce and serve it on top. This was quick and easy to do. Made for Zingo ZWT4.