Can be served as main course, non-vegetarian

Thai

For ASteak and Marinade

Flank steak - 1, about 1.25 lbs

Garlic cloves - 4, minced

Fresh ginger - 1 Tablespoon, peeled and minced

Scallions, white part only sliced - 3

Thai chillies - 2 to 4, seeded, minced

Sugar - 3 Tablespoons

Soy sauce - 1/3 cup

Lime juice - 1/3 cup

Sesame oil - 2 Tablespoons

For Salad

Asian rice noodles - 1 oz

Red-leaf lettuce - 1 head, broken into leaves, washed

Sweet onion thinly sliced - 1 small

Cucumber - 1, seeded and thinly sliced

Cherry tomatoes - 1 packet

Fresh mint leaves - 1/3 cup

Fresh cilantro leaves - 1/3 cup

Fresh basil leaves - 1/3 cup

Dry-roasted peanuts - 0.25 cup, chopped

Mint sprigs - as needed for garnish

Score the steak on both sides. Arrange on a non-stick baking dish just large enough to hold it. Place the garlic, ginger, scallion whites, chillies and sugar in a large nonreactive bowl and mash to a paste with the back of a spoon. Add soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil and 3 tablespoons of water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour half the marinade over the steak and marinate for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator, covered, turning several times to ensure even marinating. Reserve the rest of the marinade as a salad dressing. Cover the noodles in cold water and soak for 1 hour. Taste. If tender, drain well. If tough, cook in boiling water for 1 to 3 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain well. Set up grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. Line salad plates with large lettuce leaves. Tear smaller leaves to 2 inches. Place the lettuce pieces, onion, cucumber, tomatoes, mint, cilantro and basil in mixing bowl with reserved dressing, but do not mix. When fire is ready, brush and oil the grate. Place the steak on hot grate and grill until tender. Transfer to cutting board and let rest for 3 minutes. Cut steak into paper-thin slices at a 45-degree angle. Toss the salad and loosely mound on lettuce-lined plates. Place a mound of rice noodles in center. Arrange beef slices on top. Sprinkle with peanuts and place a mint sprig on each salad. Serve immediately.

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