Thai Beef with Basil

 

This is a nice flavorful week night recipe that the kids will eat! I made this with 2 cups of chopped Chinese basil and chili paste instead of chiles.

Thai Beef with Basil (~from Bon Appetit)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 red chiles, thinly sliced, seeded for less heat if desired, divided (used chili paste)

1 pound ground beef

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

3 cups fresh basil leaves, divided (used 2 cups Chinese basil)

2 medium carrots, julienned or coarsely grated

2 scallions, thinly sliced

4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)

1 teaspoon sugar

Steamed rice and lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1 Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and 1 chile and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking up with a spoon and pressing down firmly to help brown, until cooked through and nicely crisped in spots, 8–10 minutes. Add broth and 2 cups basil and cook, stirring, until basil is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 2 Toss carrots, scallions, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, and remaining chile, 1 cup basil leaves, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl.

Step 3 Mix soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and remaining 3 Tbsp. lime juice in another small bowl until sugar dissolves.

Step 4 Top rice with beef and slaw and drizzle with soy dressing. Serve lime wedges alongside for squeezing over.