SPICY THAI-STYLE FLANK STEAK SALAD This is probably my favorite beef marinade of all time Sweet, spicy, sour, and salty, it encompasses the four basic flavors of Thai cuisine While there’s no salt added to the recipe, the fish sauce and soy sauce are plenty salty NOTES: You can also cook the meat indoors in a grill pan or in a large skillet—split the steak crosswise in half so you can fit it in the pan Flank steak can be replaced with hanger, skirt, or flap meat SERVES 4 For the Marinade ẵ cup packed brown sugar ẳ cup water 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce cup lime juice (from 3 to 4 limes) 2 medium cloves garlic, minced or grated on a Microplane (about 2 teaspoons) 1 tablespoon Thai chile powder or red pepper flakes ẳ cup vegetable oil 1 flank steak (about 2 pounds) For the Salad ẵ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves ½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves 4 medium shallots, finely sliced (about 1 cup) 1 small cucumber, cut into ½-inch chunks 1 to 2 cups mung bean sprouts, rinsed and dried To make the marinade: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved Transfer to a small bowl Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chile powder and stir to combine Transfer half the marinade to a small container and reserve Add the oil to the remaining marinade and whisk to combine Place the flank steak in a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag, add the marinade, press out the air, and seal the bag Allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 1 hour, and up to 12 hours ... Transfer half the marinade to a small container and reserve Add the oil to the remaining marinade and whisk to combine Place the flank steak in a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag, add the marinade, press out the air, and seal the bag... 1 to 2 cups mung bean sprouts, rinsed and dried To make the marinade: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved Transfer to a small bowl Add the fish sauce,... Place the flank steak in a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag, add the marinade, press out the air, and seal the bag Allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 1 hour, and up to 12 hours