"(Grilled Beef Salad) The following grilled beef salad has as many versions as there are cooks in Thailand. The success of the dish depends upon starting with good-quality tenderloin and achieving a balance of hot, sour, and salty. Before serving, be sure to sample the salad and adjust the amount of chili, lime, fish sauce ? and, if desired, sugar ? to your taste...."
INGREDIENTS
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1 pound center cut beef tenderloin at room temperature
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste
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2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (preferably naam pla), or to taste
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1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste, if desired
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2 to 3 small fresh red or green Thai (bird) chilies or serrano chilies, or to taste, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves)
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1/2 cup thinly slices shallots (about 2 large)
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4 scallions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
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1/2 cup packed fresh coriander leaves, washed well and spun dry
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2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
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1 seedless cucumber
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Garnish: fresh coriander sprigs