Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry

Start the jasmine rice with your preferred cooking method. While the rice is going, make the rest of this recipe.

Roughly chop a full bunch of basil and then thinly slice the shallots orbitally into half moons.

Mix the sauce ingredients until combined. The sauce should be balanced (salty, spicy, and sweet) but strong. Taste and adjust if desired.

Set a wok or pan over medium heat. Add in a drizzle of oil, and then add the ground beef. Add a sprinkle of salt over top then allow that to sear undisturbed for a minute or two

Using a spatula or potato masher, start to break up the ground beef as it cooks.

Continue searing and breaking it up until the meat is nicely browned and broken down into a fairly even, pebbly texture.

Add the sliced shallots and stir fry until fragrant and the shallots are softened.

Drizzle in most of the sauce around the edges of the wok and stir fry to incorporate it into the beef.

• If needed, add the rest of the sauce to fully coat the mixture.

Lower the heat and allow the sauce to reduce and caramelize a bit. Taste the mixture and adjust with extra fish sauce, sriracha, or Thai soy sauce if needed.

Turn off the heat and stir in the basil. The residual heat will soften the basil, which will perfume the dish with its aromas.

When the rice is finished, add a portion to a bowl, and top with a serving of the stir fry. Enjoy warm.