Beef Marinated in Fish Sauce

Method

Prepare the Beef

1. Clean the beef thoroughly several times with lime, salt, and crushed ginger to effectively remove any unpleasant odours.

2. Boil the beef with ginger, garlic, lemongrass, cinnamon, black pepper, and star anise for about 40 minutes.

3. Check if the beef is tender, then immediately transfer it to an ice-cold water bath to make it crispier and prevent discolouration.

Make the Marinade

1. Combine fish sauce, water, sugar, and vinegar in a saucepan.

2. Add star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns, and ginger slices. Adjust the ingredients to suit your preferred flavour profile.

3. Heat the mixture over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then cool completely.

Marinate the Beef

1. Slice the beef into medium-sized pieces.

2. Layer the beef in a sterilised glass jar, alternating with garlic, chilli, and kaffir lime leaves.

3. Pour the cooled marinade into the jar, ensuring the beef is fully submerged.

4. Let the dish sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse into the beef. Alternatively, seal the jar tightly and leave it at room temperature for 1-2 days, then store it in the refrigerator.