asian beef and green tea noodle salad
with charred eggplant
- 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) black vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 star anise, crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 800g beef eye fillet, trimmed and tied
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large eggplant (aubergine), chopped
- 1 eschalot (French shallot) finely chopped
- 200g green tea noodles, cooked following the packet instructions
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Lebanese cucumber, peeled, deseeded and sliced
- micro (baby) purple shiso leaves and sliced green chilli, to serve
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the salt, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, honey, star anise and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the beef, toss to coat and set aside in the fridge for 1 hour to marinate.
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and pat the beef dry. Cook the beef, turning occasionally, for 6 minutes or until dark golden. Place on an oven tray and cook in the oven for 20 minutes for medium-rare or until cooked to your liking.
- While the beef is cooking, heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add half the eggplant and cook for 6 minutes or until dark golden. Place in a large bowl and repeat with the remaining eggplant.
- Add the reserved marinade to the pan and cook for 3 minutes or until slightly reduced. Strain through a fine sieve, place in a small bowl, add the eschalot and mix to combine. Place the noodles, lime juice and cucumber in a large bowl and gently toss to combine. Slice the beef and divide the salad and beef between bowls. Serve with the dressing, chilli and shiso leaves. Serves 6.
© DONNA HAY GROUP
