Easy Asian fennel beef rice noodle bowls

Ingredients:
For the steak:
1 lb. thin steak (I used Denver steak)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or Tamari if you need gluten-free!)
2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced

For the sauce:
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon fresh ginger
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1/8 cup water

For assembly:
12 oz. rice noodles, cooked
2 large carrots, grated*
1 jalapeno, sliced thin
4 cups kale leaves, chopped very small*
1 bulb fennel, sliced very thin
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
more optional toppings: crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro, sliced green onion

1. In a zip-top bag, combine the steak with the toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic. Let
marinade for at least 30 minutes, and up to overnight. This will be the last thing you actually
cook, though!

2. Before you make the sauce, get a water boiling for the noodles and cook them if you
haven't already. When the noodles are done, drain, rinse in cold water, and toss with a little
oil to keep them from sticking. Set aside.

3. To make the sauce, combine the peanut butter, lime juice, garlic clove, ginger, fish sauce,
toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and water together in a small blender or cup that you can
use an immersion blender in. You can also whisk vigorously, if neither of those options work for
you. Once the sauce is smooth, taste and add more of what you want (honey for more sweetness, lime
for more acidity, fish sauce for depth, soy sauce for salt, etc.).

4. When everything is chopped and ready for assembly, cook the beef. If you have a grill, heat it
up really hot and cook for about 2 minutes on each side! If you're using a pan on the stove,
get the pan really hot and cook in the same manner (about 2 minutes on each side). Let the meat rest
for 5-10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.

5. To assemble, take a little bit of each ingredient and put it in a bowl! Toss with some sauce,
and enjoy!

Source URL:
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2016/0630/Easy-Asian-fennel-beef-rice-noodle-bowls