Beef in Betel Leaf

Vietnamese grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves are little rolls of smoky, savory goodness. These heart-shaped tropical leaves, also known by the name Piper sarmentosum, are native to Southeast Asia; they offer a distinctive peppery note and spicy aroma. On a trip to Saigon, I loved this street food, and then I played around with the recipe at home to re-create the flavors from memory—and this is the result. If you can’t find betel leaves at your local Asian market, try grape leaves