THAI BASIL SPRIGS RECIPES

Steps:

• Place a large, deep skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. Saute the onion and green peppers for 3 minutes to soften. Split the piece of lemongrass down the middle and whack it with the flat side of a knife to open the flavor. Add the lemongrass, ginger, curry paste and lime leaves to the skillet and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Lay the chicken pieces in the mixture to poach; add a pinch of salt. Stir together and simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Squeeze in the lime juice and shower with basil and cilantro; serve in dinner bowls with lime wedges.
• Heat the coriander, cumin seeds, and peppercorns in a small dry skillet for 2 minutes until fragrant. Put the seeds in a clean coffee grinder or spice mill and buzz the spices to a powder.
• Put the spice blend and remaining ingredients in a food processor, and pulse to combine. Pour in the water to help grind everything down into a paste.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups wine, onion, parsley, oil, garlic, bay leaf, pepper and thyme. Pour half in a large resealable plastic bag; add the beef. Seal and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade. , Drain marinade from beef; pat meat dry with paper towels. Coat beef with flour. , In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown meat in 2 tablespoons butter on all sides. Stir in consomme and reserved marinade. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender., In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add pearl onions; boil for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; peel. In a skillet, saute mushrooms and pearl onions in remaining butter until tender. Add to beef mixture. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Thicken if desired. Serve with noodles.