Really, seven flavors? Is the human brain even capable of processing seven flavors? Can you name seven flavors? Even if you subscribe to the Japanese belief in umami (meaning tasty, brothy, meaty or savory) and include fat in there as a flavor, that still only leaves six: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami and fat. Let's face it people, seven flavors is a lot of flavors.
I guess you won't know how advanced your own brain is and if it can defeat the laws of science to discover the seventh flavor until you eat this beef. Having eaten this beef myself, I've affirmed that the brain is amazing, that it can process seven flavors at once, and that it does all sorts of things I'll probably never understand.
This recipe for Seven Flavor Beef, adapted from the restaurant Wild Ginger, was passed on by a client and then through my office. If it's any testament to how easy and delicious it is, three of us made it within the last three days. We are all wild (ginger) about it.
The 7 Flavors of Highly Effective Beef
1½ hours 30 min prep SERVES 2 -4
INGREDIENTS
16 oz. flank steak, sliced on an angle
MARINADE
1 tbsp. minced lemongrass
1/2 tbsp. peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/2 tbsp. fish sauce
1/2 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. dried red chili pepper flakes
1 tbsp. Chinese five spice powder
1 tbsp. kosher salt
FINISHING
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 bunch thinly sliced green onion
1 cup bean sprouts
4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tbsp. ground peanuts
20 leaves Thai basil
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a nonreactive baking dish and marinate beef for 1 hour, turning frequently to distribute spices.
2. Heat oil in a wok and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add red onion, green onion, and bean sprouts and sear for 1 minute, stirring. Set aside on serving dish.
3. Add beef to very hot wok and sear until rare. Add hoisin sauce and toss until coated. Add ground peanuts and basil and cook until meat is medium rare.
4. Serve meat over onions and bean sprouts.
Serve with rice and try to eat with cool people.
