Instructions: Cut beef into thin slices, season with salt and pepper. Soak chiles to soften.

Chop chiles, ginger, shallots and garlic. Place them in mortar with lemon grass, coriander root, lime peel, peppercorns, and shrimp paste, pound until smooth.

Pour coconut milk in wok, bring to boil. Add beef, cook until tender, remove, set aside. Discard milk. Pour coconut cream in wok, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until oil separates. Add spice paste, cook 4-5 min, stirring constantly. Add beef, peanuts, 8 basil leaves, fish sauce and sugar, stir well and cook slowly 2 more min.

Transfer to serving dish, garnish with basil, lime leaves and chiles.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.