"This is a lightening-fast recipe," Gail Prathers of Grand Island says. "I like to set the meat to marinate in the morning and then supper is ready in a matter of minutes. The trick to slicing the meat paper thin for this recipe is to partially freeze it first. The coolness of the lettuce and the "fire" of the beef mixture makes a perfect palate pleaser especially when coupled with something cold to drink!"

Asian Fire Beef

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 large red onion, chopped

Ground black pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

2 leeks, chopped

1 small carrot, chopped

1 pound beef round steak, sliced paper thin

Red leaf lettuce

In a large bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic and red onion. Stir in the black pepper, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, leeks and carrot. Mix in the meat by hand to ensure even coating. Cover and let marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Brush the bottom half of a wok or large non-stick skillet with cooking oil and heat over medium-high heat. Put in all of the meat and marinade at once, and cook stirring constantly. The meat will be cooked after just a few minutes. Remove from heat. Roll the meat mixture up in a leaf of red lettuce to serve.

Gail Prathers,
Grand Island