Cambodian cuisine is a quintessential part of the country’s culture and will certainly leave a lasting impression on travelers. Salty, sweet, and slightly spicy, char kroeung sach ko (stir-fried lemongrass beef) is an ideal introduction to Cambodian delicacies. This famous stir-fried dish found almost everywhere throughout the nation. Here is how to prepare this popular dish at home (for 4 people).

Ingredients: 

For the Kroeung Paste

2 stems of lemongrass *thinly sliced

5 cloves of garlic *coarsely chopped

1 piece of shallot *coarsely chopped

1 ½ teaspoons of galangal *peeled and coarsely chopped

6 pieces of kaffir lime leaves

 ½ teaspoon of turmeric

2 pieces of chilis *chopped and seeded

125 ml. of water

For the Stir-Fry

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

600g of beef

3 tablespoons of fish sauce

2 tablespoons of sugar

½ teaspoon of salt

1 piece of large onion *peeled and sliced into wedges

1 piece of bell pepper *sliced

Roasted peanuts

Rice vermicelli (for serving)

Recipe:

1.Blend all the paste ingredients in a blender until smooth.

2.Transfer the paste to a bowl, then add the beef and mix them well.

3.Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Then, add the meat and stir well until browned.

4.Add fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Then, stir until the sauce is bubbling.

5.Add the onion wedges and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent.

6.Add the red bell peppers and 6 tablespoons of roasted peanuts. Stir for another minute, then remove from the heat.

7.Sprinkle the remaining peanuts to the dish and serve with rice vermicelli noodles, lettuce, fresh mint and bean shoots.

Enjoy your meal!