Larb

The official dish of Laos!  Its a spicy meat salad basically, along the lines of Thai lettuce wraps. While I used beef for mine, I would try ground chicken or turkey next time. Really tasty, satisfying, refreshing!

1 tablespoon cooking oil
2 stems lemon grass (white part only), finely sliced
2 fresh green chilies, finely chopped
500g lean ground beef
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime rind 
6 teaspoons chili sauce
1/3 cup chopped cilantro 
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 small red onion, finely sliced
1/3 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup crisp fried garlic
Lettuce leaves for serving.

Heat the oil in a wok and stir-fry the lemon grass, chili and meat over high heat for 6 minutes, until the meat is cooked, breaking up any lumps.

Transfer to a bowl, allow to cool.

Add the lime juice, rind and chili sauce to the mince mixture.

Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving plate.

Stir most of the coriander, mint, onion, peanuts and fried garlic through the minced, spoon over the lettuce and sprinkle the rest of the coriander, mint, onion, peanuts and garlic over the top.