Beef larb is a delicious and healthy Thai dish that has gained popularity worldwide due to its vibrant flavors and simplicity. This minced meat salad offers a delightful combination of spicy, tangy, and savory tastes, making it a perfect choice for those who seek a quick yet nutritious meal. The following guide will walk you through an easy beef larb recipe that can be prepared in just under 30 minutes.
To begin with, gather your ingredients. You will need 500 grams of lean ground beef, two tablespoons of uncooked rice (preferably jasmine or sticky rice), one tablespoon of vegetable oil, three tablespoons of fish sauce, two tablespoons of lime juice, one tablespoon of sugar (palm sugar if available), and one to two teaspoons of chili flakes depending on your spice preference. Additionally, prepare half a cup each of thinly sliced shallots and fresh mint leaves. A handful each of cilantro leaves and green onions will also enhance the flavor profile.
Start by preparing the toasted rice powder which adds an essential nutty flavor to the dish. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the uncooked rice until it turns golden brown while stirring frequently to avoid burning. Once done, allow it to cool slightly before grinding into a coarse powder using either a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
Next comes cooking the Beef Larb. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned thoroughly while breaking up any clumps with your spatula for even cooking. Once cooked through with no pink remaining in the meat, remove from heat but keep warm in its juices as this will contribute significantly towards enhancing overall taste later on when combined with other ingredients.
Incorporate all flavors together by mixing fish sauce along with lime juice plus sugar into cooked meat ensuring every piece gets coated evenly resulting not only great taste but aroma too! Sprinkle desired amount chili flakes based personal preference level spiciness then toss well so everything blends perfectly creating harmonious balance between different elements present within mixture itself!
Finally assemble salad portion: mix freshly chopped herbs including mint cilantro green onion alongside previously sliced shallots directly onto seasoned minced beef stirring gently until fully integrated throughout entire bowl contents without losing delicate textures associated raw components involved here; serve immediately atop crisp lettuce leaves garnished extra sprigs more fragrant greens additional crunchy texture contrast against tender juicy morsels underneath mouthwatering masterpiece made right home kitchen effortlessly impress family friends alike!
