Zesty Beef and Cucumber Salad

Now here's a great summertime dish, aromatic and tangy. But it's also rather garlicky and oniony, so we don't recommend it for a first or second date. If, however, you're a seasoned couple who doesn't mind a little extra flavor in your smoochies, then by all means, indulge. This is possibly the best salad I've ever tasted.

1. Stir together:

A pinch of brown sugar
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
2 Tbsp. lime juice

2. Add the following to the above liquid mixture to create a "spicy infusion":

4 cloves of garlic, chopped
A knob of fresh ginger, grated
A fistful of lemongrass, chopped (best to use fresh)
2 shallots, diced
One red chili, minced

3. Stir-fry in batches in a medium-high wok or large frying pan:

One package of beef tips

3. As soon as you remove the beef tips from the stove, add them to a large bowl and then pour the "spicy infusion" over them while still hot.

4. On a cutting board, thinly slice on the diagonal:

One large English cucumber

5. Toss the cucumber with the marinating beef tips and place in the refrigerator for a few hours. Serve as a cold salad for a light dinner or hearty lunch.

Garlic Breath Remedy: I couldn't possibly list all of these heady garlic recipes in good conscience without including a garlic breath remedy that works. So try this: after your garlicky/oniony meal, chew some fresh parsley and/or mint leaves. The juices of these herbs help soothe the stomach and put a stop to those garlicky gastric juices that are cramping your style.

Serves: 4.

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