Thai Beef With Chiles and Basil

Abiner Smoothie's Note:

You can substitute ground turkey.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 ¾ cups jasmine rice
• 1 (13 ½ ounce) can coconut milk
• coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves , chopped
• 3 longhot peppers or 3 red jalapeno chiles , seeded and sliced into 2-inch matchsticks
• 1 ¼ lbs ground beef
• 1 cup basil leaves , fresh loosely packed and torn
• lime wedge

Directions:

1. Combine rice, coconut milk, 3/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepain. Cover and bring to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Once simmering, cover and cook for 25 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
2. When rice is almost done, combine fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl then set aside.
3. Add oil and heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add garlic and half the chiles. Cook for 15 seconds.
4. Add beef and brown for about 4 minutes. Add sauce mixture and cook for 30 seconds. Add basil and remaining chiles.

Reviews

[St. Louie Suzie]

I'm reserving a star-rating for now. I'd probably give it 2 or 3 stars based on the way it turned out for me last night. I followed the directions exactly except I made it with an extra 1/4 lb of ground beef and even so, it turned out way too salty. I will make this again, but will cut back to using only 1 tbsp. of soy sauce or switch to a low-sodium soy sauce. I used serrano peppers in the recipe and it turned out nicely. Spicy but not overwhelming. I'll also keep a closer eye on my rice. I had never used coconut milk to cook rice before and I expected it would look the same as regular rice when finished (sort of flat and dry on top). However because "foam" from the coconut milk settles on the top when it's done, I didn't realize it was finished and it got all brown on the bottom and stuck to my pot. I was able to save enough for the meal and it tasted really good -- sort of creamy with just a very light coconut flavor. Went very well with the saltiness and spice of the meat. Next time I make this, I'll make the small adjustment on the soy sauce and come back to award some stars. I bet it's going to be a 5.