Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nuea)

Serves 4-5

My family has been frequenting a certain local Jacksonville Thai restaurant for about 17 years now. Pattaya Thai Grille was once owned and operated by our friend Lek, who's son, Russell, now owns and it and is the main chef. 

Shawn & I were invited to a dinner with new friends recently where we were to bring a dish made with flank steak, and then all of the dishes were to be voted on. I told Lek about this food contest, and she verbally gave me the recipe for her version of Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nuea). I put my own style into it, and it was quite a hit at the dinner!

The measurements below are guesstimates, since I make this by taste. If you like your food very spicy, add another chili pepper... If you're not into spice, SHAME ON YOU! Just kidding. ;) Just use 1 chili pepper. If you cannot find thin soy, use Tamari or regular soy sauce, but taste the mixture before pouring it all over your steak. You may want to add a little more lime juice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. flank steak 
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 
• 3 tbsp. thin soy sauce 
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar 
• 4 cloves garlic 
• 2 chili peppers 
• 1 med. white onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 green onion, sliced 
• 3 cups fresh cilantro, chopped 
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish 
• 3 medium tomatoes, sliced for garnish 
• Jasmine rice

Directions:

Take your steaks out of the refrigerator to let them warm to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Turn your grill on (I have an electric grill since I live in a condo & am not allowed to have gas or charcoal). Let it get to high heat (about 15 minutes).

Prep your onion, green onion, cilantro, tomatoes and set aside.

In a food processor or blender, finely chop the garlic and chili pepper. Set the mixture aside.

Grill the flank steaks for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they're done to your liking. Let the cooked steaks rest on the counter.

Arrange sliced tomatoes on your nicest platter or large plate. In a bowl, mix together the garlic/chili pepper, lime juice, thin soy, and sugar. This is your sauce... and wow, it's good.

Cut flank steaks into quarter-inch slices - cut against the grain, or your meat will be chewy. Cut the slices in half, and then arrange half of the meat on the serving platter. Stack your meat high to make it look like there's a lot of it. Arrange half of the sliced onions on top of the meat. Pour half of the sauce over the meat & onions. Generously sprinkle some of the fresh cilantro on top. Repeat with the rest of the meat, then the onion, the rest of the sauce, more cilantro, and then top with the sliced green onion and fresh mint.

Serve with jasmine rice, and make sure to spoon that delicious sauce over the rice. Bon appetit!