Thai Beef with Basil

Where I grew up there was no such thing as Italian food or Chinese food unless it was in a can.  Thai?  I don't think so.  But I do have the south Texas requirement of heat in my foods.  So, I love this simple but flavorful recipe.  Serves 4

Photo by Hirsheimer and Hamilton

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 red chiles, thinly sliced, seeded for less heat if desired, divided
• 1 pound ground beef
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups fresh basil leaves, divided
• 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)

preparation

Heat 1 tablespoon 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.

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

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

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

Per serving: 240 calories, 12 g fat, 2 g fiber