SAIGON BEEF

Saigon Beef image

Yield Makes 4 to 6 first-course or 2 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

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2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce* or other Asian hot chile sauce
2 tablespoons mirin * (Japanese sweet rice wine)
1/4 cup sugar
1 lb sirloin or flank steak (3/4 to 1 inch thick), trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce or other Asian hot chile sauce
1/2 fresh habanero chile, seeded and minced (about 1 teaspoon)
1/2 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
1/3 cup well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated
12 fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced crosswise
1/4 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts, chopped
1 carrot, shredded

Steps:

Stir together ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha sauce, and mirin in a 1-quart heavy saucepan and boil over moderate heat 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and simmer until thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
Pat steak dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat sesame oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté steak, stirring occasionally, until browned on outside but still pink inside, about 3 minutes. Stir in shallot, Sriracha sauce, habanero, and mirin and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and simmer, uncovered, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
Put beef, chile garlic sauce, lime wedges (for squeezing), and remaining condiments each in a separate bowl. Spoon beef into lettuce leaves and top with condiments and sauce, then wrap up.
Available at Asian markets and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).