With Julia Merrington

Korean-style beef and lettuce wraps

Looking for a fast weekday meal? This dish is full of colour, flavour and makes a moderate serve of fabulous Australian Beef go a long way. Marinate the beef and vegies’ the night before for dinner in a flash the following day. 

Serves 4. Preparation time (excluding marinating time) 20 minutes. Cooking time: 3 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 500g rump steak. Trimmed and thinly sliced across the grain.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 bullet chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

To fry 

  • 2-3 tablespoons peanut or rice bran oil 

Quick pickled vegetables 

  • 6 large red radishes. Cut in matchsticks
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and cut in matchsticks
  • 1 cup finely sliced red cabbage
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 bullet chilli, deseeded and very finely diced (optional)

To serve 

  • 8 large butter lettuce or cos lettuce leaves, washed
  • Japanese mayonnaise (optional)
  • 2 cups cooked rice (optional)  

Method 

  • In a medium bowl, add the beef slices and all the marinade ingredients, stir well, cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • While the beef marinates, make the pickled vegetables, add all the ingredients into a bowl, stir and allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes. 
  • On a very high heat, heat the peanut or rice bran oil until smoking hot in a large wok or large frying pan. Drain the marinated beef (reserve any extra marinade) and cook quickly (about 2-3 minutes) stirring all the time until the beef is browned on the outside and still pink in the middle, add the remaining marinade until heated through, remove cooked beef and sauce from the wok. 
  • While the beef is still hot, place it in the centre of the table, along with the drained pickled vegetables, lettuce cups, and mayo (if using) so everyone can assemble their own. 

Tip: If you prefer a more filling meal, serve cooked rice with the beef lettuce cups.  

Lifestyle