Suya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime Dressing

Method

1. Pulse about two-thirds of the peanuts in a blender to a sandy powder and mix with the cayenne, smoked paprika, ground ginger, garlic powder and most of the salt to make yaji. Roughly chop the remaining peanuts with a knife for a crunchy topping.

   Add in this stepRoasted unsalted peanuts 35 gCayenne pepper ½ tspSmoked paprika 1 tspGround ginger ½ tspGarlic powder ½ tspSalt ½ tsp

2. Pat the steak dry with paper towel, rub with half the oil and press two-thirds of the yaji firmly onto both sides. Leave at room temperature for 15 min so it cooks evenly to the centre.

   Add in this stepBeef sirloin steak, 2 cm thick 240 gPeanut oil (or vegetable oil) ½ tbsp

3. Make the dressing: stir the peanut butter with the lime juice, honey and remaining salt, then whisk in the warm water a little at a time until it falls slowly from a spoon. It may look split at first; keep stirring and it turns smooth.

   Add in this stepSmooth unsweetened peanut butter 2 tbspLime, juiced 1Honey 1½ tspWarm water 2 tbspSalt ¼ tsp

4. Heat a heavy 24 cm pan (cast iron is ideal) on high heat until it just smokes, add the rest of the oil and lay in the steak. Leave it alone and cook for 2 min 30 sec per side for medium (57 °C inside). Flip when the peanut crust is deep brown; if it starts to blacken, lower the heat slightly. Rest on a board for 5 min so the juices stay in when you slice.

   Add in this stepPeanut oil (or vegetable oil) ½ tbsp

   high heat

5. While the steak rests, cut the romaine into bite-size pieces, rinse in cold water and dry thoroughly; slice the cucumber into half-moons, the tomatoes into wedges and the red onion paper-thin. Arrange the vegetables on a wide plate or in bowls.

   Add in this stepRomaine lettuce 160 gCucumber ½Tomatoes 1Red onion ¼

6. Slice the steak across the grain 5 mm thick, lay it over the salad, scatter with the remaining yaji and chopped peanuts and drizzle with the dressing. Serve straight away; dress it only at the last moment so the lettuce stays crisp.