Issan Style Thai Sliced Steak Salad Food

ISAAN STEAK SALAD (NEUA NAAM TOK)

Steps:

• Season steak: Trim lemongrass ends, then remove the fibrous outer layers (about 2-3 layers). Thinly slice the tender inner core; you should have about ¼ cup. Place a cloth towel under the mortar to keep it stable; add 1 tablespoon sliced lemongrass and the peppercorns to the mortar. Loosely pound to break up while also scraping the sides, 10 seconds. Set aside. Place steak on a plate and pour soy sauce over to coat both sides. Rub the lemongrass-peppercorn paste on both sides of the steak, pressing to adhere. Let rest at room temperature, 10 minutes.
• Grill steak: Preheat charcoal grill according to grill directions to medium heat, about 30 minutes. Lightly brush preheated grill with oil, then brush the steak with oil. Grill the steak for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until lightly charred on both sides. Meanwhile, prep the salad: Trim, peel, and thinly slice a shallot with the grain. Set aside, along with mint leaves, cilantro, and remaining sliced lemongrass.
• Dressing: In a pan, add beef stock, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chile powder. Heat sauce over medium heat just until heated and bubbly at the edges, 2 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
• Assembly: Remove steak from grill and let rest, 10 minutes. To serve, cut the steak against the grain in thin slices; add to the pan with the warm dressing, along with any juices from the steak. Place the additional salad ingredients into the pan, along with dried rice powder. Stir to combine and coat ingredients with the dressing. Spoon onto a plate, sprinkle with additional toasted rice powder, and serve.

THAI NOODLE-STEAK SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium high. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside in a colander to drain thoroughly.
• Whisk the lime juice, 3 tablespoons water, the sugar, sambal oelek and fish sauce in a large bowl. Add the cucumber, onion, watermelon and noodles. Season with salt and pepper and toss; set aside.
• Season the steak with salt and pepper. Brush the grill with vegetable oil. Grill the steak until marked, about 3 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, then thinly slice.
• Add all but a few tablespoons cilantro to the noodle salad and toss. Top with the steak and the remaining cilantro.