Chinese Five-Spiced Beef Salad

Happy Year of the Snake! I know, I said it yesterday but I love any excuse to celebrate. And celebrate I did with this fresh and fragrant salad.  Chinese food is usually associated with rice, dumplings, heavy soups and noodles but it need not be. This certainly isn't the most traditional of dishes, but it's full of flavour and will bring out feelings of vitality and prosperity - perfect when you're in a new year state of mind! 

Chinese Five-Spiced Beef Salad, serves two

1 medium-sized piece sirloin steak

2 tbsp peanut oil

1/2 tbsp black peppercorns

12 cloves

1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 star anise

1/2 tbsp fennel seeds

Grind the spices to form a dense powder. Add to the peanut oil and brush over both sides of the steak. Allow to marinade for a few hours or overnight. 

1/4 cup red cabbage

1 1/2 cup sliced green beans

1/3 cup mung bean sprouts

2 spring onions, sliced

1 red chilli, finely sliced

1/2 red capsicum, julienned

1/4 cup finely grated carrot

1 inch piece of fresh ginger, julienned

2 tbsp cashew nuts, chopped

2 tsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp hoisin sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp sesame oil

Toss the salad ingredients together until well combined.  Stir the dressing ingredients in a small jar and then pour over the salad and toss gently.  Slice the steak thinly and serve on top of the salad. Enjoy!