Vietnamese Beef Salad

This recipe was kind of strange. We liked the beef, noodles, radish and the sauce, but did not feel that the papaya fit into the dish. I personally was expecting the papaya to taste like mango, so maybe that's why I was so disappointed in their flavor. Maybe next time when we try it, we'll add mango instead. Also, I don't believe we got the right noodles. We ended up having to bake /fry those to fully cook them.

We'll probably try it again, we are beef fans. Now we have a ton of papaya to eat, and I'm not really looking forward to that. Any ideas for how to make papaya more pleasant?


Vietnamese Beef Salad 1 flank steak (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
4 ounces thin rice noodles
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger (optional)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 papaya, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Place the steak and soy sauce in a large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.

Heat grill to medium or place a grill pan over medium heat. Cook the steak to the desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the noodles according to the package directions. Rinse the noodles under cold water and drain.

In a small bowl, whisk together the ginger (if using), lime juice, brown sugar, salt, and sesame and peanut oils.

Thinly slice the steak across the grain. Divide the steak and noodles among individual plates. Top with the radishes and papaya, drizzle with the dressing, and sprinkle with the cilantro (if using).

Tip: Look for a papaya that has a smooth, dark green skin with a touch of yellow. It should give slightly when squeezed. If you can find only firm papaya, place the fruit in a paper bag and leave it on a counter for a couple of days. Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: Real Simple July 2006