A spicy beef marinade adds a flavour bomb to simple seared beef for a banging summer main course salads. It’s perfect for entertaining as it can all be prepped ahead and then is fast to assemble when you’re ready to eat. And simple enough for a weeknight supper - serve with a cold noodle salad or just some fresh baguette to keep things simple.


Method:

• For the marinade: Put the sugar into a screw-top jar and add a couple of teaspoons of boiling water to melt it. Add all the other marinade ingredients, screw the lid on tight and give it a good shake.

• Put the meat into a non-metal dish or a ziplock bag and add half the marinade. Turn to coat the meat and allow to marinate for a couple of hours turning meat occasionally.

• Heat a griddle to its hottest, remove the meat from the bag and sear in the hot pan for 3 to 4 minutes until a dark crust forms. (Tip: open the doors and windows as it will make a lot of smoke!) Flip the meat and allow to cook for a further 2-3 minutes and then remove to a board to rest.)

• Assemble the salad by mixing together the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chillies, lettuce and herbs. Add a tablespoon of oil to the remainder of the marinade and use to dress the salad and toss to coat evenly.

• Slice the beef as thinly as you can and arrange it on top of the dressed salad and garnish with some extra chopped red chillies, sliced spring onions and lime wedges.

Louis Mann

First published in the JC 1 June 2023