Yum consists of a combination of ingredients such as grilled meat, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a spicy dressing. It is known for its bold tangy and spicy flavors. Yum can be made with chicken or pork, however beef (neau) is most common. The ingredients are very customizable and a great use for leftover grilled meats. Any time there was a leftover steak in our refrigerator, this is what my mom would make.
The flavors of yum come from the dressing. It is very simple and made with lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, chili peppers and a touch of sugar. A great example of the balance of flavors so important in Thai cooking- sweet, sour, salty, spicy and savory. The dressing is very simple, so it’s important to use the best ingredients you can find. Fresh lime juice is required, and I would highly recommend a very good fish sauce for this.
The vegetables used in the salad can vary widely. Romaine lettuce holds up well to the dressing and the heaviness of the steak. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion are traditional additions, but you can really use any vegetables that you like and have on hand. For herbs, cilantro and mint are traditional.
Steak Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak gilled to medium rare
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 Thai chili peppers
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice fresh
- 2 cup leafy greens
- ¼ cup red onions or shallots thinly sliced
- 1 tomatoe cut into wedges
- 1 cucumber deseeded, halved and sliced
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup mint
Instructions
- Grill the beef and thinly slice it into bite sized pieces.
- Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic and chili peppers. Add sugar, fish sauce and lime juice.
- Combine with the salad ingredients
- Toss all ingredients together. Garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro and mint.
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