Recipe: Nue Gra Pao / Stir-Fried Beef

Serves about 6

1 tablespoon hot chilli pepper, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, crushed
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound tender steak, cut into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick and 2 inches long
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
lettuce leaves

Place chilli, onion, garlic and 3 tablespoons of oil in a blender, then blend for a minute and set aside.

Heat frying pan or wok, then add blender content and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add meat, then stir-fry until light brown. Stir in fish sauce, sugar, thyme, water and mint, adding more water if necessary to make about a half cup sauce, then stir-fry for 1 minute. Arrange lettuce leaves in a shallow bowl, then spread mixture over top and serve hot.

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