Ingredients
18 bamboo skewers (6 inches long)
4 large stalks lemongrass
4 teaspoons minced garlic
4 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
4 teaspoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, trimmed of fat
36 fresh pepper leaves
1/2 pound rice vermicelli
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup Scallion Oil
Vietnamese Dipping Sauce
2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion greens
Preparation
Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Trim lemongrass stalks to 5 inches from base; remove bad outer leaves; cut into 1/2-inch lengths. In a food processor, process lemongrass to a hairlike texture. Transfer to a bowl; add garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, turmeric, and oil.
Slice beef 1/4 inch thick, then 2 inches long; add to marinade; toss to coat. Marinate, refrigerated, 30 minutes to 8 hours.
Fold steak slices in half; thread 5 slices onto each skewer, wrapping every other slice with a pepper leaf before skewering.
Add vermicelli and salt to boiling water; cook until al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse; while wet, use a fork to twirl about 1/3 cup noodles against side of bowl to make a nest 3 inches wide. Transfer to a serving dish. Repeat until all noodles have been used. Drizzle nests with Scallion Oil.
Brush a grill or grill pan with oil; heat until hot. Grill skewers until meat is well charred, 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Arrange skewers around noodle nests; serve immediately. Top with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce, peanuts, and scallion greens.
