Surin of Thailand, 810 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, 404-892-7789, www.surinofthailand.com/
Q: My family is passionate about Thai food, which we eat at every opportunity and at every Thai restaurant we can find. The Spicy Beef Salad at Surin of Thailand is our very favorite Thai dish. We have experimented at home many times and have only come somewhat close to replicating this amazing salad. Any chance you could publish the recipe? — Kathleen Barber, Atlanta
A: The best thing about Thai beef salad, in manager Chai Choomuang’s opinion, is the beer. “It’s a very simple dish, ” he explained. “You order it when you want something light, something lean, something with your beer or with wine. For me, it’s like an everyday food to enjoy while talking with friends.”
Unfortunately for fans of Surin’s version, the key ingredient is a roasted chili and garlic sauce that is made in-house. Home chefs will have to settle for the bottled paste sold in the Asian food section of grocery stores.
Surin’s Spicy Beef Salad
According to Surin of Thailand manager Chai Choomuang, the ideal proportion of beef to cucumber is roughly 1-to-1, by volume, with just a smattering of the other vegetables for effect.
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon prepared roasted red chili paste
1 pound flank steak
1 small cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeded and julienned
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tomato, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
Prepare a medium fire in a grill. In a nonreactive bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce and chili paste; set aside. Slice the beef into thin strips, then grill to medium. Add to the bowl with the chili paste mixture and toss to coat.
Arrange the cucumber, onion, tomato, cilantro and green onion in a bowl. Top with the grilled steak and sauce. Makes 2 servings.
Per serving: 458 calories (percent of calories from fat, 49), 46 grams protein, 12 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 25 grams fat (10 grams saturated), 116 milligrams cholesterol, 216 milligrams sodium.
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