Thai Beef Salad

Toast the rice in a dry pan over medium heat, then grind it into a fine powder.

Toast pine nuts in a pan and grind them into a paste.

In a mortar, crush garlic, red onion, and Thai chilies together until a coarse paste forms.

Add lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and warm water to the mortar and mix to create the dressing.

Combine sliced beef, shredded red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and mint leaves in a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently with tongs to coat all ingredients.

Sprinkle the toasted rice powder (and ground pine nuts, if desired) over the salad and give a final toss.