How to make delicious and simple banana flower beef salad at home without it turning black

How to prepare Banana Blossom Beef Salad

• 1

  Prepare the ingredients

  You should let the banana blossom wilt a little before shredding; do not shred it right after picking. Prepare a large bowl of water and gradually add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and the juice of a fresh lemon, stirring well to dissolve. Slice the banana blossom horizontally and soak it in the bowl of water, then rinse with cold water and drain.

  Tip for preparing banana blossom without browning:

  • Before slicing, use your hands to peel off the tough outer layers, removing each layer until you reach the tender part of the banana blossom, then stop and start cutting or shredding.
  • Thinly slice or shred the banana blossom horizontally. As you slice, soak the banana blossom in the lemon-salt water immediately to prevent it from browning; leaving it outside for too long will make it unappealing.
  • Soak the banana blossom in the prepared lemon-salt water for at least 30 minutes. After that, remove and rinse several times with water until clean, then drain.
  • You can use vinegar, alum, or fermented rice mixed with water instead of lemon for soaking the banana blossom. Do not add too much salt when preparing the soaking water, as it will make the banana blossom salty and unappetizing.

  Wash the herbs, drain them, and then chop them finely.

  Wash the beef, and you can briefly blanch it in boiling water to reduce the smell.

  Tip for cleaning beef, removing the odor:

  • Reduce the odor of beef with alcohol by soaking the beef in alcohol for 15 minutes, then rinse clean with cold water; this will lessen the smell and make it tastier when cooked.
  • Remove the odor from the beef using lemon and vinegar: rub lemon on the beef or soak it in diluted vinegar water for a few minutes to eliminate the unpleasant smell.
  • Remove the odor from the beef using shallots: while marinating the meat, roast a shallot or dried onion, peel it, crush it, and mix it with the beef to eliminate the smell.

  Let the beef dry and then cut it into thin slices for eating.

  Roast the peanuts until cooked, remove the shells, and then crush them. Clean the garlic and chili, then chop them finely.

  Tip for cutting beef correctly so it doesn’t become tough:

  You should cut the meat against the grain, not along the grain. When cut against the grain, the slices will show the cut surface of the meat as rolled pieces closely stacked together. Cutting the meat this way will make it softer and easier to eat when cooked, not to mention that when marinating, the spices will penetrate deeper and faster.

  

  

  
• 2

  Mix the dressing

  In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 chopped chili, and 1/2 – 1 lime. You can adjust the seasoning to suit your family’s taste.

  Stir well until the mixture is dissolved.

  
• 3

  Stir-fried beef

  Place a pan on the stove, turn on high heat, when the pan is hot, add cooking oil, when the oil is shimmering, add the remaining minced garlic, then add the sliced beef to the pan, add 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder and stir-fry until the meat changes color, still slightly pink, then turn off the heat (not cooking thoroughly will make it tastier).

  
• 4

  Mix the salad

  Add the sliced banana flower into a large bowl, add chopped herbs, and the stir-fried beef, mix well, then gradually add the prepared fish sauce into the bowl and mix again, season to taste, ensuring the ingredients are well absorbed. Sprinkle some roasted peanuts on top and mix well to complete the dish.

  
• 5

  Final product

  The banana flower salad with beef is not only delicious and unique but also nutritious with tender beef, crunchy banana flower, and a tangy spicy dressing that is truly appealing. Let’s enjoy it right away!