Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Shaking Beef

An unusual name for this popular dish stems from the method of cooking rather than the finished product. As the steak option in many Vietnamese restaurants, shaking beef is a common choice among first time diners who might be unsure of what to order. The technique of shaking the beef in the wok or skillet gives this dish its name, and the simple marinade and sauce make it easy to duplicate at home.  

The beef is cut into cubes as many Vietnamese meat dishes will use cut up proteins rather than a larger cut.  Watercress provides a nice spicy kick and a good clean finish.  Use a little extra sauce to finish and pour over the greens.  

Thit Bo Luc Lac-Shaking Beef
1.5 pounds beef (ribeye, sirloin) ½ inch cubes
1 onion, thinly sliced

Marinade-
1 tsp salt
1tsp pepper
1tsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ cup mirin
¼ cup rice wine vinegar

Sauce-
¼ cup light soy
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp dark soy
1 tbsp garlic minced
1 tbsp chili paste


green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces, green only
watercress



Thoroughly combine all of the marinade ingredients and toss with the cubed beef.  Let it rest for about 1-2 hours. Then combine all the sauce ingredients. 

In a very hot skillet or wok, add a small amount of oil and sear the beef.  As it begins to brown, start shaking vigorously to cook the meat on all sides.  When it is well seared, remove the meat to a plate, and add the sliced onion.  Caramelize the onion, and add the meat back to the skillet.  Pour in the sauce and throughly coat.  Toss in the green onions and gently mix with the meat and sauce.  Place the watercress in a bowl or plate and pour the meat and juices on top.  Serve with a side of nuoc mam.



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