Thai-Style Beef Salad

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3/4 lb beef tenderloin, with sinew and fat trimmed
• salt and pepper
• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup skinless roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
• 1/8 cup mint leaf, stems removed and large leaves torn in half
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaf, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 romaine lettuce hearts

DRESSING

• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 lime, zest of
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Thai fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

Directions

1. 1

   rub oil all over beef and lightly season it with salt and pepper. let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes, covered with plastic wrap.

2. 2

   heat a heavy skillet or grill pan. sear beef over high heat until the outside is a dark brown, then remove from pan and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

3. 3

   meanwhile, for the dressing, grind red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, lime zest, and brown sugar in a mortar, until it is a paste. add lime juice, fish sauce and soy sauce; mix thoroughly.

4. 4

   slice beef thinly against the grain and place the slices in a bowl with the shallots, half of the peanuts, and most of the mint and cilantro leaves. pour all of the dressing over the beef mixture and gently toss together.

5. 5

   to serve, divide lettuce leaves between 2 plates and then place beef salad on top. scatter remaining peanuts and herbs on top.