Chef Naveen's Spicy Thai Basil Beef

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef (80% lean)
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
½ cup onion, minced
¼ cup fresh Thai basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons lemongrass, minced
2 – 3 Thai chili peppers, minced (optional, to taste)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
1½ teaspoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 teaspoons Sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon hot chili oil (adjust to taste)

 

Directions:

 

Heat cooking and sesame oil in a wok and add the chopped lemongrass, onion, ginger, chili peppers and garlic. Sauté 3 – 4 minutes. Add the beef and continue cooking 8 – 10 minutes longer. Add the fish sauce, brown sugar, chili oil, Sriracha, and black pepper. Continue cooking until beef is well-done. Remove from heat and add chopped basil leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice.