Easy, 30-minute BeefLarb is made in one skillet. While not quite authentic, Beef Larb is easy to make and has all the great flavors you know and love from Thai food.
COCONUT-BASMATI RICE: Get the rice started first (if making). Combine 1 cup basmati rice, 1 and 1/2 cups full-fat coconut milk, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste). Stir and place over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the rice. Allow to simmer for 13-18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, keep covered, and let stand for 10-15 minutes; don't rush or it will be sticky! Fluff the rice with a fork and then add in the zest and juice of one lime. Stir and evenly divide onto plates.
SAUCE: In a small bowl, add the 1 teaspoon cornstarch and the 1/4 cup soy sauce. Whisk with a fork until smooth and then add in the 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest, the 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek (See Note 1), 1 teaspoon white sugar, and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar. I add 2 tablespoons, but add slowly to personal preference. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (leave out salt if you're concerned about saltiness with soy sauce; you can always add some more at the end). Whisk with a fork until smooth and set aside.
BEEF: Melt 1 and 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil in a large cast-iron skillet set to medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, and 1 cup of thinly sliced green onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and tender. Push the veggies to the edges of the pan, increase the heat to high and add the ground beef to the center of the pan. Let stand for 30 seconds without moving, then flip to the other side and let stand for 30 seconds. Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste (I add a tiny pinch of each). Then, using a wooden spoon, break up the beef and cook until no longer pink inside and fully cooked. Drain off any accumulated grease and add in the 2 cups of diced zucchini. Stir until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low. Quickly whisk the sauce again with the fork and then pour it over the beef and cook for another 1-3 minutes or until beef is glossy and sauce has thickened and coated everything. Taste and adjust any of the sauce ingredients -- flavors should really "sing," so add additional lime juice or salt until they do. You can also add in some fish sauce to taste here if desired (to add a more authentic Thai flavor). Remove from heat and stir in the 1 cup of coarsely chopped herbs. Stir gently.
SERVE: Add even amounts of beef to the coconut basmati rice. If desired, top with sliced Persian cucumber and lime wedges. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Note 1: Sambal Oelek: Sambal Oelek adds a lot of flavor and is fairly spicy. If you're sensitive to heat, start with 1 teaspoon of the sauce and increase from there. You can also try Sriracha sauce in place of the chili sauce (Note that a lot of the flavor in this dish does come from the Sambal Oelek).Note 2: Fresh herbs: The herbs add so much to this dish, but if you prefer, use a combination of two of the herbs instead of the three suggested. When measuring the herbs, coarsely chop them and very loosely measure to get 1 cup.Nutrition information is for the Beef Larb and does not include the optional coconut lime rice. A serving with the rice is 402 calories.