Banja Gui: Barbecued Beef in a Lettuce Wrapper

By Ellan

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tab. minced garlic
• 1 tab. plus 1 teas. sesame oil
• 2 teas. mirin
• 1 teas. red pepper flakes
• 2 lbs. sirloin or flank steaks, sliced thinly on the bias
• 1/2 cup julienned green onions (scallions)
• 2 teas. hot red chili powder
• 2 tab. toasted sesame seeds
• 40 very thin slices garlic
• 20 large green or red lettuce leaves

Preparation

Step 1

In a large non-reactive bowl, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, garlic, 1 tab. of sesame oil, 1 teas. mirin, and the red pepper flakes. Add the meat to toss to coat. Cover refrigerate over night, turning occasionally.

Preheat the grill. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce with remaining 1 teas. sesame oil. Add the green onions, and garlic, and toss to combine. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the remaining mirin, the chili powder and sesame seeds.

Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry. Grill for 1 minute on each side for medium-rare.

Lay the lettuce leaves on a flat work surface and rub the mirin on the insides of the leaves. Set aside.

Lay several slices of cooked steak in center of each leaf, drizzle with a bout 1 tab. of the seasoned green onions and top with 2 garlic slivers. Fold the lettuce over the steak and wrap tightly. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve immediately.