Lemongrass Beef Rolls in Wild Betel Leaves

What you need

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef, about 20% fat
• 2 stalks lemongrass, tender white part only, minced very fine
• 3 shallots, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, 3 minced for the filling, 1 for the dipping sauce
• 5 tbsp fish sauce, 2 for the filling, 3 for the dipping sauce
• 3 tbsp sugar, 1 for the filling, 2 for the dipping sauce
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 3 tbsp neutral oil, 1 for the filling, 2 for brushing
• 24 leaves wild betel leaves, la lot, rinsed and patted dry
• 8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 min
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 red chile, thinly sliced
• 1 small head of lettuce, leaves separated, for wrapping
• 1 bunch mint, for serving

Method

Restated from the original video

1. 1

   Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 min so they do not burn.

2. 2

   Mince the lemongrass, shallots and 3 of the garlic cloves as finely as you can.

3. 3

   In a bowl, knead the ground beef with the lemongrass, shallots, minced garlic, 2 tbsp of the fish sauce, 1 tbsp of the sugar, the black pepper and 1 tbsp of the oil for about 2 min, until the mixture turns sticky and holds together.

4. 4

   Cover and refrigerate the filling for at least 30 min so it firms up and is easier to shape.

5. 5

   For the dipping sauce, stir the remaining 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, lime juice and 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) water until the sugar dissolves. Mince the last garlic clove and stir it in with the chile.

6. 6

   Lay a betel leaf shiny side down with the stem end toward you. Press about 1 tbsp (20 g) of filling into a thin log along the wide base of the leaf.

7. 7

   Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll it up toward the tip into a tight bundle.

8. 8

   Thread 3 rolls onto each skewer, crosswise through the seam so they stay closed.

9. 9

   Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush the rolls with the remaining 2 tbsp oil.

10. 10

    Grill the rolls for 3-4 min per side, turning once, until the leaves blister and darken and the beef is cooked through with no pink inside.

11. 11

    Serve hot with the lettuce and mint for wrapping, and the dipping sauce on the side.

Imported from apetitonline.cz. Recipe Grab pulled out what you need to cook it; the video stays where its author put it.