Papaya Beef Salad
| Serves | 12 |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Vegetables, Nuts, Meat, Fruits |
| Day Part | Dinner, Lunch |
| Menu Part | Salad |
| Cuisine Type | Asian |
Source: Culinary Visions Panel, Olson Communications
Papaya and mango salads are popular in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. Both Thailand and Vietnam have several versions, usually based on the crisp, unripened or “green” fruit. Green papayas are available in Caribbean and Southeast Asian markets, but ripe papaya can be substituted. The Vietnamese and Thai eat the salad more as a snack, but this one is made more substantial with the addition of grilled steak.
Ingredients
Lime Vinaigrette
3/4 cup (6 oz.) fresh lime juice
3 tbsp. fish sauce
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. grated lime zest
1 1/2 tsp. minced lemongrass, optional
3 tbsp. canola oil
Salad
1 1/2 lb. papaya, peeled and julienned
1 lb. Napa cabbage, coarsely shredded
9 oz. watercress, stems trimmed
1 1/2 oz. red or green chilies, seeded, fine julienne
1 1/2 lb. beef tenderloin or boneless top sirloin steaks
Salt and pepper
Toasted rice powder or ground roasted peanuts, for garnish
Steps
- Prepare Vinaigrette: Combine lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, lime zest and lemongrass in bowl; whisk to dissolve sugar. Add oil; whisk to blend.
- Prepare Salad: For each large plate, combine 4 oz. papaya, 2½ oz. cabbage, 1.2 oz. watercress and 1/4 oz. chilies in bowl. Just before serving, toss with 1 1/2 oz. dressing.
- Season steaks with salt and pepper; sear over high flame for rare doneness. Cut steaks into long, thin slices. Portion 4 oz. sliced meat for each large salad.
- Plate salad; top with steak slices. Garnish with toasted rice powder or ground roasted peanuts.