Bo Luc Lac ("Shaken" Beef)

Today, I bring you the recipe of bo luc lac. "Bo" means steak, and "luc lac" refers to the "shaking" method when preparing this steak. You can find this dish in almost every Vietnamese restaurant. It is usually served with steamed rice. However, I like to make this dish as a salad served on watercress and onion that has been tossed with a vinegar dressing. Nuoc mam cham (dipping fish sauce) is served on the side for those who prefer it more of salty taste.This recipe takes 20 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook. It is THAT easy.

INGREDIENTS:

Beef Marinade

• 1.5 lbs beef sirloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 white onion, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tbs sugar
• 1 tbs honey
• 2 tbs oyster sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp olive oil

Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1.5 tbs sugar
• 1/2 tbs salt

Dipping Sauce

• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tbs sugar (or to taste)
• 2 tbs fish sauce (or to taste)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 garlic, minced well
• 1 chili peppe, minced well

Salad

• 1 bunch of watercress
• 1 tomato, sliced (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the marinade ( garlic, shallot, sugar, honey, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and olive oil) with the beef cubes and refrigerate at least an hour before cooking. I always do it hours before to make sure the beef is well marinaded.

2. Prepare the vinegar dressing by combining the ingredients and toss the watercress. Put aside.

3. In a big wok, heat up 1 tbs of olive (or vegetable) oil over high heat. Add the sliced white onion when oil is hot. Then add in the beef and allow to sear for about 3 minutes.

4. Begin "shaking" to sear all the opposite sides of the cube for another 3 minutes.

5. Transfer the beef to a bed of watercress. You can add a layer of sliced tomatoes in between the watercress and the beef if you like.

6. Make the dipping sauce by adding all the ingredients listed and stir until all the ingredients are mixed nicely. Feel free to add more sugar/fish sauce/lime if you prefer a sweeter/saltier/sour taste.

7. Sprinkle ground black pepper on the beef before serving.