Spicy Thai Beef Delight
This Spicy Thai Beef Delight is an irresistible dish that marries the rich flavors of lean ground beef with vibrant Asian spices. Inspired by Cooking Light, this recipe showcases the remarkable depth of Thai cuisine, featuring succulent beef sautéed with aromatic leeks and garlic, all enveloped in a creamy coconut sauce enriched with red curry paste. The dish is perfectly balanced with tangy lime juice and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, making it an excellent choice for any weeknight dinner or special occasion. Serve it over fluffy short-grain white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce and enjoy a taste of Thailand in your home. Adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more red curry paste for an extra kick!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking spray
as needed (for grease)
Leek
1 cup (thinly sliced)
Garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
Lean ground beef
1 lb (raw)
Red curry paste
1 teaspoon (mixed)
Tomato sauce
1 cup (canned)
Light coconut milk
1/2 cup (canned)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (granulated)
Lime rind
1/4 teaspoon (grated)
Fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons (juiced from fresh lime)
Asian fish sauce
1 tablespoon (bottle)
Short-grain white rice
3 cups (cooked)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat the pan lightly with cooking spray.
2
Add the thinly sliced leeks to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
3
Incorporate the minced garlic into the pan and continue sautéing for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Next, add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook for approximately 7 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking the beef into crumbles, until it is lightly browned and cooked through.
5
Stir in the red curry paste along with the tomato sauce; allow the mixture to simmer until half of the liquid evaporates, which should take about 2 minutes.
6
Pour in the light coconut milk and add the brown sugar, grated lime rind, lime juice, and Asian fish sauce. Cook the mixture for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until it slightly thickens.
7
Once ready, serve your Spicy Thai Beef Delight over hot cooked short-grain white rice, ensuring a generous amount of the creamy beef sauce on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Thai Beef Delight?
It is a dish featuring lean ground beef, leeks, and garlic in a creamy coconut and red curry sauce, inspired by Cooking Light and Thai cuisine.
What type of beef is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of raw lean ground beef.
How long does it take to cook the beef?
The ground beef should be cooked for approximately 7 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
What kind of rice should be served with this dish?
It is recommended to serve the dish over 3 cups of hot cooked short-grain white rice.
How should the leeks be prepared?
The leeks should be thinly sliced and you will need 1 cup for the recipe.
Can I adjust the heat level of this dish?
Yes, you can adjust the spice level by adding more red curry paste for an extra kick.
What role does red curry paste play in the recipe?
Red curry paste provides the primary spice profile and deep Thai flavor for the sauce.
What type of coconut milk is used?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of light canned coconut milk.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
Sauté the minced garlic for about one minute until it becomes fragrant.
What is the source of inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Cooking Light and showcases vibrant Asian flavors.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What ingredients provide the tangy flavor?
The tanginess comes from 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of grated lime rind.
Why is brown sugar included in the sauce?
One tablespoon of brown sugar is added to provide a hint of sweetness to balance the spicy and savory flavors.
How much red curry paste is used?
The standard recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of red curry paste.
When should the fish sauce be added?
The Asian fish sauce is added toward the end of cooking along with the coconut milk, sugar, and lime.
What kind of pan is best for this recipe?
A large skillet heated over medium-high heat is recommended for cooking.
How much cooked rice is needed?
The recipe suggests preparing 3 cups of cooked short-grain white rice.
What should the consistency of the beef be?
The beef should be broken into crumbles as it cooks until it is browned.
Should the rice be hot when serving?
Yes, serve the beef and sauce over hot cooked short-grain white rice.
How do I prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pan?
Lightly coat the skillet with cooking spray before heating it.
Is fresh lime juice necessary?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice for the best flavor balance.
How is the lime rind prepared?
The lime rind should be grated to yield 1/4 teaspoon.
What is the simmering process for the tomato sauce?
Simmer the curry paste and tomato sauce for about 2 minutes until half of the liquid evaporates.
How much fish sauce is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of Asian fish sauce from a bottle.
Is this a suitable recipe for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is described as an easy and excellent choice for any weeknight dinner.
What makes the sauce creamy?
The light coconut milk creates the creamy texture that envelopes the beef.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
One cup of canned tomato sauce is required.
How should the dish be plated?
Serve a generous amount of the creamy beef sauce over the hot cooked rice.
What is the total amount of leeks used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of thinly sliced leeks.
How long do I sauté the leeks?
Sauté the leeks for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften.