Spicy Thai Beef Salad (Laab Neua)

Here is a recipe for the popular dish of Laab, a delicious spicy meat salad. Originating in the North East of Thailand (Issan) preparation is quick & simple! Serve with yummy, chewy steamed sticky rice to be traditional or jasmine rice is also very good. Accompany with lots of fresh vegetables to round out the meal. Laab is traditionally served very spicy and sour but the recipes here are moderate in heat. Add or subtract seasoning as desired, tasting as you mix. Add more fish sauce, lime juice, or chile peppers to taste. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Ingredients

1 lb ground sirloin beef (good quality, lean)
1/4-1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2-6 tblsp fish sauce
1/4 tsp dried galangal powder (optional)
6 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise
2 tblsp ground roasted sticky rice powder
2 tblsp chopped scallion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (stem and leaf okay)
1 tblsp ground dried red chile pepper
15 mint leaves
Fresh Thai chiles (prik kee noo), sliced thin crosswise (optional)

Preparation

Chop beef fine, if necessary. Combine with lime juice, fish sauce, galangal powder and shallots. Heat a skillet or wok and cook meat until no longer pink. Remove from heat. Add the sticky rice powder, scallion, cilantro, dried red chile powder. Mix to combine well. Spoon onto a serving platter and garnish with mint leaves and Thai chiles. Serve with raw vegetables such as long beans, basil leaves, spinach, etc.

Also see Thai Beef Salad ("Yam Neua") and Sticky Rice ("Kao Neow") recipes.

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