28 May 2016, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia – Iyi günle. Our menu today: Beef Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Fried Rice with Broccoli and Mushroom, and, as dessert, Dragon Fruit in Ginger Syrup over Coconut Ice Cream.

Beef Satay

Makes: 2 servings; Prep Time: 10 mins; Cook Time: 8 mins

1 lb. beef steak, rib eye preferred, thin pieces
6 wooden skewers, soak in water 15 minutes

SATAY MARINADE:
1/4 cup minced lemongrass, fresh
1 shallots, sliced
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh serrano chili, seeded and chopped
1 thumb ginger, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Place all marinade ingredients in a food processor or chopper. Process well.

Taste-test the marinade – you should taste mostly sweet and salty with a hint of spicey. Add more sugar or more fish sauce (never salt) to adjust the taste. You can also add more chili if you want it spicier.

Cut meat into small strips – thinner is better. Place in a sealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over. Seal well and shake to combine. Allow at least 2 hours for marinating, or longer (up to 24 hours).

When ready to cook, thread meat onto the skewers. Fill up to 3/4 of the skewer, leaving the lower quarter empty as a handle to easily turn the satay.

Light grill and wait to medium-hot. Grill the satay for 8 – 10 minutes turning half way through.

Serve with your favorite Fried Rice.

Fried Rice with Broccoli and Mushroom

Makes: 2 servings; Prep Time: 10 mins

1/2 cup fresh-tasting dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
1/4 cup water
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons brown sugar, to taste
1.5 tablespoons fish sauce
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 teaspoon Thai chili sauce, or to taste
1/4 cup coconut milk

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until sauce is smooth. If you prefer a runnier peanut sauce, add a little more coconut milk.

Do a taste test, adding more fish sauce if not salty enough, or more chili sauce if not spicy enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you’d prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar.

Serve warm or at room temperature with Dale’s Favs Satay, as a dip with fresh veggies, with fresh spring rolls, or other Asian finger foods. Or combine with noodles to create a Thai-style noodle dish or cold noodle salad. Doubles well.

The Dragon Fruit recipe is a variation from the Specialty Produce App. This is an incredibly useful app for foodies produced by the the Specialty Produce company in San Diego. Everyone needs this on their iPhone for shopping.