Laab - Thai Ground Beef Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons jasmine rice (uncooked)
1 lb ground beef (ground pork may be substituted)
4 tablespoons lime juice, divided (about 3-4 limes)
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/2 cup shallot, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons gingerroot, minced fresh
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup mint leaf, chopped, plus whole leaves
fresh cilantro, for garnish
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
12 lettuce leaves

Preparation

Toast rice in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium-high heat. Cook rice, shaking pan frequently until rice turns golden, about 8 minutes.
While rice is toasting, combine beef, 3 tablespoons of the lime juice, Fish Sauce, shallots and ginger in a bowl.
When rice is golden, pour on plate to cool. In same skillet over high heat, add beef mixture. Cook, breaking meat into small pieces, about 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from heat.
Add remaining tablespoon of lime juice, scallions, mint, cilantro, Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce and sugar to meat. Mix well.
Add cooled rice to spice grinder or blender, and grind into a sandy powder. Add to meat mixture and mix well.
Spoon laab into a serving bowl lined with lettuce leaves, or serve on individual leaves for a pretty presentation. Garnish with whole mint leaves.