Marinated Beef Salad

Assemble these supplies:

• Large head Romaine lettuce
• 3 limes
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger
• Small bunch fresh cilantro or parsley
• Small bunch fresh mint, or 1 teaspoon dried 6 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• teaspoon Salt
• 1-2 pounds cooked rare roast beef or raw sirloin
• 2 small cantaloupes (1/2 to 1/4 pound each) 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Steps in preparation:

1. Put serving platter in freezer to chill.
2. Wash lettuce and dry in salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels.
3. Grate lime rind. 
4. Squeeze enough lime juice to measure 4 tablespoons, reserving any extra.
5. Cut 1 lime into wedges for garnish.
6. Peel and mince ginger. 
7. Wash, dry,' and chop cilantro and mint, if using fresh, to measure 11/2 table­spoons each. 
8. Reserve unchopped cilantro and fresh mint for garnish. 
9. For dressing, combine 4 tablespoons peanut oil, sesame oil, salt, ginger root, chopped cilantro, and mint in small bowl. Set aside.
10. With chef's knife, slice meat into strips 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, and 1 to 11/2 inches long, if not already sliced.
11. To cook raw meat, unless you prefer to serve it raw, heat remaining 2 tablespoons peanut oil in large heavy-gauge skillet or sauté pan over high heat.
12. Add meat and cook, stirring constantly, just until meat is no longer pink, 30 to 60 seconds.
13. Using slotted metal spatula, transfer meat to chilled platter.
14. Arrange cooked sirloin, precooked roast beef, or raw sirloin in single layer.
15. Pour dressing over meat, cover loosely, and refrigerate until chilled.
16. Transfer meat and dressing to medium-size bowl and clean platter.
17. Peel, seed, and slice cantaloupe and arrange around edge of platter.
18. Shred lettuce and form bed in center.
19. Using wooden spoons, toss meat with dressing to coat well.
20. Spoon meat over lettuce. Sprinkle with reserved lime juice to taste.
21. Just before serving, garnish with mint, cilantro, and lime wedges.
22. Top with sesame seeds and sprinkle lightly with red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve additional red pepper flakes on the side.