Thai Grilled Steak Salad with Rice Noodles
(makes 4 servings)
Marinade:
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tablespoon (7.5 ml) Thai fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dark sesame oil
1/4 packet sugar substitute
3/4 pound (360 g) flank steak
Sauce:
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons (30 ml) Thai fish sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
1/2 packet sugar substitute
1/8 teaspoon (.6 ml) crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
3 ounces (90 g) rice-stick noodles
1/2 English cucumber, 4 ounces (120 g), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
4 cups (224 g) mixed greens, washed and crisped
1/4 cup (10 g) chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup (21 g) chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped dry-roasted peanuts
Combine the ingredients for the marinade and place in a shallow bowl. Add the flank steak, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours, or over night, turning once.
Light the grill or preheat the broiler.
To make the sauce, place the water, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar substitute, and red pepper flakes in a food processor or blender. Pulse until well combined; set aside.
In a deep bowl, place the noodles. Cover with warm water and let soak for 10 minutes. Drain and then boil in fresh water to cover for 2 to 4 minutes, until cooked through. Drain, rinse under cold running water, and drain again. Set aside.
Remove the steak from the marinade. Score the meat in a cross-hatched pattern and grill until done, about 8 minutes per side for medium. Transfer steak to a carving board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into very thin slices on a diagonal.
To assemble the salads, divide the greens, cucumber, and herbs between 4 dinner plates. Mound the noodles in the center of each plate and top with an equal portion of steak slices.
Garnish each serving with 1/4 of the chopped peanuts.
Per Serving: 251 calories (30% calories from fat), 21 g protein, 8 g total fat (3.2 g saturated fat), 23 g carbohydrate, 2 g dietary fiber, 44 mg cholesterol, 811 mg sodium*
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 1/2 lean protein, 1 carbohydrate (1 bread/starch), 1 vegetable
* If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, you will need to limit your sodium intake the rest of the day.