My take on an Asian classic: Chilli and Basil beef with noodles.
One of my favourite joints to eat is an Asian restaurant around the corner from where I live, and a dish that makes me happy is Beef Chilli and Basil. Somehow they get a smoky-ness to the meat that goes really well with the hot chilli and the basil finishes it off perfectly by soothing and rounding the harshness of the smoke.
Unfortunately like many great restaurants the house of Asian deliciousness I used to frequent has been taken over by new management – ie. they’ve gone a little to pot.
So here is my version of this classic:
First off the large orange things are chilli and basil raviolis that are liquid on the inside with a thin skin. Then the little pea type spheres are basil, coriander and lemon made through cold oil spherification. Lastly, and incredibly easy to overlook are some drops of smokey chilli oil that I made by infusing oil with dried chilli flakes and Lapsan Suchong tea.
Served with a delicious side of Udon noodles, some sprouts and finely chopped bamboo shoots.
I hope you try this out and let me know what you think – as always comments are welcomed and encouraged.