Lettuce Bundles with Grilled Beef in a Lemongrass Marinade and Thai Peanut Sauce

This recipe is a bit complex, but very good. There are 3 parts to it, so I will do one section for each. This isn't a LC recipe but I cut out the sugar and noodles it calls for, and it turned out good.

Main Ingredients:

1 boneless sirloin steak cut one inch thick

1 bunch fresh basil, stemmed

1 bunch fresh mint, stemmed

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

1 head Boston or Bibb lettuce, separated and dry

Aromatic Lemongrass Marinade

Thai Peanut Sauce

Aromatic Lemongrass Marinade Ingredients:

3 stalks fresh lemongrass or 3 strips lemon zest

2 large shallots, coarsely chopped

5 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

5 tbsp Asian fish sauce

3 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Thai Peanut Sauce Ingredients:

2 tsp minced peeled fresh ginger

1 hot chile (serrano, jalapeno, etc)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 scallions, both white and green parts

1/3 cup chunky peanut butter

1/3 cup coconut milk

2 tbsp Asian fish sauce or Braggs liquid Aminos

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Thai Peanut Sauce Directions:
1. Combine the ginger, chile, garlic, scallions, peanut butter, coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, and cilantro in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil, stirring to mix well, then reduce to low and let simmer 5-10 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and taste for seasoning. Should be served warm or at room temperature. Should be think but pourable.

Aromatic Lemongrass Marinade Directions:

1. Combine lemongrass, shallots, and garlic in a mortar and pound to a coarse paste.

2. Work in the fish sauce, lime juice, and pepper.

3. If you do not have a mortar and pestle, use a blender and process to smooth puree.

Main Directions:

1. Cut steak into 1/8 inch wide strips and put in the marinade. Let marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer.

2. Put the meat on skewers and grill over high heat, 1-2 minutes per side for well-done.

3. Combine the basil, mint, jalapeno slices, and meat on a lettuce leaf and dip in the peanut sauce and enjoy.

This recipe is based on one from Steven Raichlen's Barbecue Bible.

Beef Fajitas

A simple beef fajita meal that doesn't take much to prepare, but is very tasty.

Ingredients:

For Marinade:
1/2 cup chicken broth or lite beer
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 small onion, sliced thinly
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic

Rest of Ingredients:
2 lbs of skirt steak or any other steak you want to use.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced thick
1 green pepper, sliced

Toppings:
Guacamole (We love Wholly Guacamole)
Salsa (Mrs. Renfro's is wonderful and most varieties have no sugar added)
Sour Cream
Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
1. Mix together marinade ingredients.
2. Put steak in a big zip lock bag and marinade in the fridge for a few hours. The tougher the steak, the longer you should let it marinade.
3. When ready to cook, remove steak from bag, saving a few tbsp of the marinade.
4. In a large skillet, heat the oil.
5. Add in steak, peppers, and onion when the oil is hot.
6. When the meat is done and the veggies are tender, add in the reserved marinade.
7. Serve on tortilla or plate and top with the guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese

This recipe was based on one from Dana Carpenders 501 LC Recipes

Note that the tougher the steak, the longer to let it marinade.