# Yum Nua - Thai Beef Salad

> The flavors are the classic Thai mix of salty, sour, sweet and spicy. This salad combines tender grilled steak with fresh vegetables and a tangy lime dressing.

**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Total time:** 25 minutes
**Servings:** 2-4
**Storage:** Best served fresh; dressing can be made ahead

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## Ingredients

### Steak
- 8-10 ounces New York strip steaks (about 1 1/2 in thick)
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil

### Salad
- 1/4 cup shallot, sliced thin
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro stems, and leaves
- 1/4 cup mint leaf (loosely packed to measure and then, chopped)
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and sliced
- 4-6 romaine lettuce leaves, for serving

### Dressing
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Thai chiles, minced (more or less depending on the heat desired)
- 2 tablespoons very thinly sliced lemongrass, crush slices with the back of knife after slicing
- 1 1/2 teaspoons palm sugar or 1 1/2 teaspoons light brown sugar, can be substituted
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

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## Shopping List

### 🥩 Meat
- [ ] 8-10 ounces New York strip steaks (1 1/2 in thick)

### 🥬 Produce
- [ ] 1/4 cup shallot
- [ ] 3 tablespoons cilantro
- [ ] 1/4 cup mint leaves
- [ ] 1 medium cucumber
- [ ] 4-6 romaine lettuce leaves
- [ ] 1 clove garlic
- [ ] 2 Thai chiles (or 1/2 jalapeno pepper as substitute)
- [ ] 2 tablespoons lemongrass
- [ ] Limes (for 2 1/2 tablespoons juice)

### 🧂 Pantry
- [ ] 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- [ ] 1 1/2 teaspoons palm sugar (or light brown sugar)
- [ ] 2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
- [ ] Salt and pepper

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## Instructions

1. **Make the dressing.** Start making the dressing by crushing the minced garlic and bird chili peppers together against the cutting board with the flat side of your knife to make a paste.

2. **Finish dressing.** Put this paste in a small bowl and add lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.

3. **Whisk and set aside.** Whisk together to combine and set aside.

4. **Cook the steak.** To cook the steak, heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

5. **Sear the steak.** Sear the steak on one side and continue to cook 6-8 minutes.

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## Notes

This is a classic Thai salad that balances all the key flavor elements. The heat can be adjusted by using more or less chili peppers. For a milder version, use 1 Serrano chili pepper or 1/2 jalapeno pepper instead of Thai chiles.