Bo xao la cach nuoc cot dua is loved for the way the faint pungency of la cach leaves meets rich coconut milk. The tricky part is the timing, since beef turns chewy if it simmers too long in the coconut milk.
The beef is stir fried on its own over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then lifted onto a plate. Only after the leaves are cooked does the beef return to the pan, followed by the coconut milk and a gentle 2 to 3 minute simmer.
This batch weighs about 1kg, at roughly 142 calories per 100g.
Method
Rinse the beef and slice it thin. Marinate with 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 teaspoon kOBE Monk Fruit Blend, 1 teaspoon seasoning powder and 1 teaspoon pepper, mix well, then leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
Wash the la cach leaves, drain them, and cut into bite sized lengths. Mince the garlic and split it into two portions.
Heat 2 tablespoons cooking oil in a pan, fry two thirds of the minced garlic until fragrant, then stir fry the beef over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes and lift it onto a separate plate.
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, fry the remaining garlic, then add the la cach leaves with 1 teaspoon seasoning powder and toss for about 2 minutes, until just wilted.
Return the beef to the pan, toss, then pour in 200ml coconut milk and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so the coconut milk soaks into the meat and the leaves.
Taste and adjust, then plate and finish with a little ground pepper.
Tips
Tenderloin or shank works best here, as both are tender with little sinew and suit a quick stir fry.
Cooking the beef separately and returning it at the end keeps it from toughening in the coconut milk.
Split the garlic in two, the larger share for the beef and the rest for the la cach leaves, which spreads the garlic aroma evenly.
La cach leaves need only about 2 minutes in the pan, as longer turns them dark and dulls the aroma.
Coconut milk should simmer low and uncovered, since a hard boil splits the oil out.
Need kOBE Monk Fruit Blend?
The recipe above is sweetened with kOBE Monk Fruit Blend, measured 1:1 like sugar. See the product page or send us a message.